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THE  LIFE  AND  WORKS  OF  JESUS 
ACCORDING  TO  ST.  MARK 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 
According  to  St.  Mark 


WILLIAM   D.   MURRAY 


"  Go  your  way,  and  tell  John  what  things  ye  have  seen 
and  heard  ;  the  blind  receive  their  sight,  the  lame  walk,  the 
lepers  are  cleansed,  and  the  deaf  hear,  the  dead  are  raised 
up,  the  poor  have  the  good  tidings  preached  to  them." 


NEW  YORK 

THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE  OF 

YOUNG   MEN'S   CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATIONS 

1906 


COPYRIGHT,  1900,  BY 

THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE  OF  YOUNG 
MEN'S   CHRISTIAN   ASSOCIATIONS 


5-0-PS4M-I-OC 


Introduction 

The  primary  aim  of  these  studies  is  to  present  a  sim- 
ple, vivid  outline  of  the  Life  of  Jesus,  using  St.  Mark's 
record  and  emphasizing  His  mighty  works.  In  the  study 
of  the  last  week  of  the  Life  portions  of  the  other  gospels 
are  also  used.  An  effort  has  been  made  at  the  same  time 
to  bring  out  the  geography  of  Palestine,  the  manners 
and  customs  of  its  people,  the  various  classes  among  them 
— in  short,  to  give  the  setting  of  the  picture.  The  studies 
will  be  found  also  to  form  a  study  of  the  book  of  Mark, 
and  for  this  purpose  the  characteristics  of  this  gospel 
have  been  constantly  pointed  out. 

It  has  been  thought  wise,  in  connection  with  these 
studies,  to  suggest  about  twenty-five  familiar  Bible  verses, 
which,  together  with  their  location,  are  to  be  memorized ; 
and  also  to  ask  the  students  to  learn  where  to  find  certain 
well-known  parts  of  the  Bible — i.e.,  the  Commandments, 
the  Lord's  Prayer,  etc.  Other  verses  and  chapters  may 
be  substituted  for  these  to  suit  the  needs  of  the  class. 

There  has  been  inserted  at  irregular  intervals  a  num- 
ber of  written  prayers,  not  necessarily  on  the  subject  of 
the  day's  study,  and  not  intended  to  form  a  liturgy,  but 
to  bring  before  the  students  the  prayers  of  others  in  order 
to  teach  them  to  pray.  In  like  manner  meditations  have 
been  inserted  on  various  days,  designated  "  Thought  for 
To-day."  Through  these  it  is  hoped  to  guide  the  stu- 
dent's thought  to  the  teaching  of  the  lesson  for  that  par- 
ticular day,  with  the  hope  that  he  will  be  induced  to  for- 
mulate and  write  out  thoughts  about  the  teachings  for 
the  other  days.  As  the  studies  are  intended  to  be  devo- 
tional as  well  as  historical,  here  and  there  various  quota- 
tions of  a  devotional  nature  will  be  found. 

Like  the  other  courses  in  the  Bible  Study  Cycle  these 
lessons  have  been  arranged  for  daily  study,  and  the  most 
good  will  surely  come  to  those  who  adopt  this  plan.  To 
induce  and  assist  in  daily  study  space  has  been  provided 
for  written  answers,  and  students  are  urged  to  answer 


20243EO 


the  questions  in  writing;  and  the  studies  are  printed 
in  a  form  and  on  paper  which  makes  this  work  both  a 
text-book  and  a  note-book,  so  that,  while  for  many  rea- 
sons a  note-book  will  be  found  useful,  it  will  not  be 
necessary.  An  outline  map  is  also  printed  on  which  to 
trace  the  journeys  of  Jesus.  The  questions  are  based  on 
the  Revised  Version,  and  some  of  them  will  be  unintel- 
ligible without  that  version. 

Two  books  are  recommended  for  use  with  these  studies, 
and  while  they  will  be  found  very  helpful  they  are  not 
essential : 

1.  Life  of  Christ,  by  Stalker  (50  cents). 

2.  The  Gospel  according  to  St.  Mark,  by  Thomas  M. 
Lindsay  (75  cents). 

Besides  the  above  Kephart's  Chart  of  the  Life  of  Christ 
(75  cents),  gives  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  events  of  the 
Public  Ministry.  The  Twentieth  Century  New  Testa- 
ment (50  cents)  is  a  translation  into  modern  English  and 
often  throws  light  on  obscure  passages.  The  Bible  Study 
Manual  (50  cents),  published  by  the  Bible  Study  Pub- 
lishing Company,  Boston,  Mass.,  contains  many  choice  ex- 
tracts from  most  of  the  well-known  writers  on  the  Life 
of  Christ.  Stevens  and  Burton's  Harmony  of  the  Gos- 
pels would  be  found  helpful,  and  those  who  expect  some- 
time to  study  Sharman's  Life  of  Christ  ought  to  purchase 
this  Harmony  now. 

Some  classes  have  found  pictures  very  helpful.  Blue 
print  reproductions  of  famous  paintings  may  be  procured 
from  Earl  Thompson  &  Co.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  at  one  cent 
each;  the  Perry  Picture  Company,  Maiden,  Mass.,  fur- 
nish prints  of  the  same  pictures  at  the  same  price.  Either 
publisher  will  be  glad  to  send  a  catalogue. 

For  a  helpful  list  of  books  consult  pages  41  et  seq.  of 
the  Prospectus  of  Religious  Work  (25  cents).  Any  of 
these  helps  will  be  furnished  by  the  International  Com- 
mittee. 

The  following  is  suggested  as  a  method  of  procedure 
in  preparing  and  teaching  one  of  these  studies : 

I.  PREPARING: 

J.  Determine  the  topic  of  the  study.  (Is  the  one 
given  in  the  text-book  well  chosen?)  Make 
a  sentence  summarization. 

2.  Determine  the  connection  of  this  study  with 
the  general  development  of  thought  and  events 
preceding.     (That  is,  make  a  brief  review  of 
vi 


past  studies.)  Occasionally  read  the  Gospel 
of  Mark  through  at  one  sitting. 

3.  Determine  the  principal  questions  to  be  asked 

upon  each  daily  study. 

4.  Determine  the  points   in   each   division  to  be 

looked  up  in  outside  literature  (a)  by  the 
leader  or  (b)  by  members  of  the  class  ap- 
pointed beforehand. 

5.  Determine  which  of  these  divisions  you  will 

spend  most  time  on  in  class,  which  next,  etc. 

6.  Decide  upon  a  few  general  questions,  if  neces- 

sary, upon  the  whole  study  that  do  not  come 
under  any  special  division. 

7.  Determine  the   principal   religious   truths   and 

their  bearing  upon  life. 

8.  Determine  the  main  purpose  underlying  your 

whole  presentation.  (That  is,  what  is  the 
dominant  thought  of  the  study?) 

9.  Memorize  the  verse  or  chapter  suggested,  and 

be  ready  to  review  the  class  on  verses  and 
chapters  already  memorized.  (Leaders  will 
find  much  help  in  the  general  suggestions  to 
leaders  prepared  by  Mr.  Sharman  and  Pro- 
fessor White  to  accompany  their  studies  in 
this  cycle.) 
II.  TEACHING: 

The  class  hour  might  be  used  as  follows : 

1.  Prayer. 

2.  Repeat  the  verses  and  chapters  already  learned. 

Let  the  leader  repeat  the  verse  and  the  class 
locate  it,  or  vice  versa.  Do  the  same  with  the 
chapters. 

3.  Review  the  last  lesson.     Occasionally   review 

the  facts  already  learned  about  the  country, 
people,  etc. 

4.  Take  up  the  lesson  of  the  week  as  already  de- 

termined upon  in  preparation. 

5.  Compare  the  answers  of  the  various  members 

of  the  class.  Occasionally  the  leader  should 
take  the  students'  books  and  examine  the  writ- 
ten answers,  and  make  such  suggestions  as 
may  be  necessary. 

6.  Make  at  least  one  teaching  from  the  lesson  so 

clear  that  every  member  will  carry  it  away 
with  him. 

Til 


7.  Suggest  work  for  the  next  week. 

8.  Prayer. 

These  studies  are  sent  forth  with  the  prayer  that  those 
who  are  beginning  to  study  the  Bible  may  be  led  into 
more  thorough  study,  and  that  the  picture  of  the  won- 
derful Man  of  Galilee,  the  Mighty  Worker,  may  be  made 
so  clear  and  beautiful  that  many  will  be  drawn  to  Him, 
and  will  go  out  from  Him  preaching  everywhere,  "  the 
Lord  working  with  them." 

WILLIAM  D.  MURRAY. 

PLAINFIELD,  N.  J.,  August,  1900. 


Vfli 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

1.  Opening  Events  and  Judean  Ministry. 

2.  Preaching,  Healing,  Praying. 

3.  Travelling  and  Healing. 

4.  Popularity  and  Opposition. 

5.  Choosing  His  Helpers. 

6.  Teaching  by  Parables. 

7.  The  storm  at  sea  and  insane  on  shore. 

8.  Days  of  Power. 

9.  His  friends  and  His  enemies. 

10.  Resting,  Working,  Praying. 

11.  Driven  out  of  Galilee. 

12.  Journeys  of  Flight. 

13.  Teaching  and  Healing. 

14.  The  Transfiguration. 

15.  The  Close  of  the  Galilean  Ministry. 

1 6.  On  the  way  to  Jerusalem. 

17.  Teaching  in  Perea. 

1 8.  Close  of  Perean  Ministry. 

19.  The  beginning  of  the  End. 

20.  Encounter  with  Priests  and  Scribes. 

21.  Last  Teachings. 

22.  His  last  hours  with  the  disciples. 

23.  Arrested,  Tried,  Denied. 

24.  Mocked  and  Crucified. 

25.  The  End. 

26.  His  Victory. 


An  Outline  of  the  Life  of  Jesus 

(Events  in  italics  are  not  recorded  by  Mark.) 

I.  THE  BEGINNING. 

(Thirty  years.) 
/   Birth 

2.    Presentation  and  naming 
3     Wise  men 
^    Flight  into  Egypt 

Return  to  Nazareth 
£     Childhood  at  Nazareth 
I      j     Visit  to  Jerusalem 

Luke  i  :  1-2  :  52. 
(Eighteen  silent  years  at  Nazareth.) 

II.  THE  PERIOD  OF  OBSCURITY. 

a.  PREPARATION. 

(Two  months,  January,  February,  A.D.  27.) 

Ministry  of  John Mark  i  :  1-8 

Baptism 9-1 1 

Temptation 12,  13 

b.  JUDEAN  MINISTRY John  i  :  19 — 4  :  42 

(Nine  months,  A.D.  27.) 
First  Disciples 
First  Miracle  at  Cana 
First  Cleansing  of  the  Temple 
Talk  with  Nicodemus 

(Eight  months  of  silence,  John  3  :  22.) 
Talk  with  Woman  of  Samaria. 
(Jesus  leaves  Judea.) 

III.  PERIOD  OF  POPULARITY. 

(Twenty-two  months.     Autumn,  A.D.  27,  to 
October,  A.D.  29.) 

GALILEAN  MINISTRY.     Mark  i  :  14-9  : 50. 

Calls  four  disciples i  :  14-20 

A  Sabbath  day  in  Capernaum 2 1-34 

Retirement  to  a  desert  place 35-39 

Heals  a  leper 40-45 

Cures  a  paralytic 2  :  i-i  2 

Calls  Matthew 13-17 

Blamed  for  not  fasting 18-22 

Reproved  for  gathering  corn  on  Sabbath. . .  .23-28 
He  cures  a  man  with  a  withered  hand 3  :  1-6 


Crowds  surround  Him 7-12 

SELECTS  THE  TWELVE  APOSTLES 13-19 

Sermon  on  the  Mount Matt.  5,  6,  7 

Heals  centurion  s  servant. \ 

Raises  widow  of  Nairis  son V  Luke  7  : 1-50 

Is  anointed  in  Simon's  house ) 

Warns  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees 19-30 

Who  his  real  relations  are 3T~35 

Teaches  by  Parables 4  :  1-34 

Into  the  Storm 25-41 

The  insane  man 5  : 1-20 

Raises  the  daughter  of  Jairus 21-43 

Rejected  at  Nazareth 6  :  1-6 

Sends  out  the  Twelve 7-13 

John's  murder 14-29 

FEEDS  MORE  THAN  5,000 30-46 

Walks  on  the  water 47-56 

Eats  with  unwashed  hands 7  :  1-23 

First  journey  of  flight 24-30 

Through  Decapolis 3*~37 

Feeds  four  thousand 8  :  1-9 

In  Dalmanutha 10-13 

Leaven  of  the  Pharisees 14-21 

Cures  a  blind  man 22-26 

THE  GREAT  CONFESSION 27-30 

He  foretells  His  death 8  :  31 — 9  :  i 

TRANSFIGURATION 9  :  2-13 

He  cures  the  demoniac  boy 14-29 

Foretells  His  death  again 30-32 

Teaches  disciples  humility  and  tolerance. . .  .33-50 

IV.  PERIOD  OF  OPPOSITION. 

PEREAN  MINISTRY,  Mark  10  : 1-52. 
(Six  months,  Autumn,  A.D.  29 — April,  A.D.  30.) 
Teaching  about  marriage  and  divorce . . . .  10  :  1-12 

Little  children 13-16 

Rich  young  man 17-22 

The  rich 23-27 

Self-sacrifice 28-31 

The  journey  to  the  feast  of  Dedication. .  John,  10  :  22 
Visits  Mary  and  Martha  at  Bethany.. .Luke  10  :  38-42 

Flight  into  Perea John  10  :  39-42 

Parables Luke  14 : 1 — 17  :  10 

Visits  Bethany  and  raises  Lazarus. John  n 

Flight  to  Ephraim John  n  :  54,  55 

Foretells  His  death  again Mark  10  :  32-34 

False  Ambition 35~4S 

•I 


Heals  Bartimaeus 46-52 

Anointed  at  Bethany 14  :  i-n 

V.  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  2,  A  DAY  OF  TRIUMPH. 

He  enters  Jerusalem 1 1  :  i-io 

Back  to  Bethany  at  night 1 1 

MONDAY — A  DAY  OF  AUTHORITY. 

He  curses  a  fruitless  fig-tree 12-14 

He  cleanses  the  Temple 15-18 

Back  to  Bethany  at  night 19 

TUESDAY — A  DAY  OF  CONFLICT. 

The  withered  fig-tree 20-26 

His  authority  is  challenged 27-33 

Parable  of  wicked  husbandman 12  :  1-12 

Other  parables Matt.  21  and  22 

Three  catching  questions 13-34 

His  question , 35-37 

Beware  of  the  Scribes 38-40 

The  widow's  mite 41-44 

Greeks  seek  Him John  1 2 

Prediction  of  destruction  of  Jerusalem  and 
end  of  the  world 13  : 1-37 

WEDNESDAY — A  DAY  OF  RETIREMENT. 
(No  record.) 

THURSDAY — THE  LAST  DAY  WITH  His  DISCIPLES. 

Preparation  for  Passover 14  :  12-16 

Institution  of  Lord's  Supper 17-25 

At  the  Mount  of  Olives 26-31 

Farewell John  13,  14,  15,  16 

Intercessory  Prayer John  17 

FRIDAY — A  DAY  OF  SUFFERING. 

In  Gethsemane 14  :  32-42 

Taken  prisoner 43-52 

The  Jewish  trial 53-65 

Peter's  denials 66-72 

The  Roman  trial 15  ;  1-14 

Scorned  and  mocked 15-20 

Crucified 21-41 

Buried 42-47 

xii 


SATURDAY — THE  DAY  IN  THE  TOMB. 
He  rests  in  the  grave 16  :  i 

THE  FORTY  DAYS — April  9 — May  18. 

Visit  of  Mary  and  others,  who  find  He  has 

risen 16  :  1-8 

Appears  to  Mary  Magdalene 9-11 

Appears  to  the  two  on  the  way  to  Emmaus.. 12-13 

Appears  to  the  eleven 14 

His  last  commands 15-18 

The  Ascension 19-20 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  I  :i.  JESUS  CHRIST,  THE  SON  OF  GOD. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  this  verse  would  be  a  good 
title  for  the  book  of  Mark. 

A  writer  of  the  second  century  tells  us  that  Mark  did 
not  hear  Jesus  nor  follow  Him,  but  that  he  wrote  what 
Peter  told  him.  In  2  Peter  I  :i5  Peter  seems  to  express 
his  intention  of  writing  a  Gospel.  In  Matt.  16:16  Peter 
uses  these  very  words.  It  seems  particularly  appropri- 
ate for  Mark,  therefore,  to  begin  his  Gospel  with  this 
great  confession  of  Peter.  See  Peter's  outline  of  the  life 
of  Jesus  in  Acts  10 138-42. 

Consult  the  following  references  for  information  about 
Mark:  Acts  12:12-25,  13:5-13,  15:39;  I  Pet.  5:13;  Col. 
4:10;  2  Tim.  4:11. 

What  does  the  word  gospel  mean? 


What  other  expressions  are  used  for  gospel? 
2:2;  Acts  13:32. 


What  does  the  name  Jesus  mean?    Matt  1 :2I 


What  does  the  name  Christ  mean? 


Which  was  His  name  and  which  His  title?    See  use  of 
the  two  words  in  Acts  17:3. 


"  I  have  read  that  on  one  occasion  of  the  gospel  story 
a  child  was  lifted  up  to  see  the  portrait  of  Jesus.  That 
youngest  student  in  the  art  gallery  had  probably  the  view 
clearest  of  all.  His  sight  was  antecedent  to  all  theory,  to 
all  argument.  I  should  like  to  be  that  child.  I  shall  try." 
1 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 

SECOND  DAY  :  MARK  1 12-8.    JOHN  BAPTIST. 

Read  also  Isaiah  40:3;   Mai.  3:1. 

Isaiah  wrote  more  than  500  years  before  Christ. 

Kings  when  going  on  a  journey  sent  messengers  be- 
fore them  to  mend  the  roads.  When  the  Emperor  of 
Germany  visited  Palestine  in  1898  the  roads  over  which 
he  was  to  go  were  repaired. 

Who  was  this  messenger  ?    Mark  1 13. 


Wilderness,  v.  4.  "  Rugged  and  dreary  beyond  de- 
scription; full  of  bare  rocks,  rich  in  hollows,  full  of 
sandy  plains,  with  scarce  a  village  or  even  a  farm-house." 

Locate  on  the  map  Judea,  Jerusalem,  Jordan. 

John's  clothing,  v.  6.  "A  coarse  kind  of  sackcloth, 
made  out  of  the  strongest  hairs  of  the  camel."  It  was  the 
dress  of  a  prophet.  See  2  Kings  1 :8. 

Locusts  were  not  unlike  our  grasshoppers;  they  were 
often  used  as  food. 

It  was  customary  for  slaves  to  untie  the  fastenings  of 
their  master's  sandals. 

"  Make  ye  ready  the  way  of  the  Lord."  What  one 
thing  can  I  do  toward  it  this  year? 


Some  one  has  said  that  John  the  Baptist  was  like  "  a 
sunken  pier  on  which  the  light-house  of  the  world  might 
stand."  (John  1:23,  3:30.) 


Mark  1 :2,  3.    Here  and  in  one  other  place  are  the  only 
times  Mark  himself  quotes  the  Old  Testament.    This  in- 
dicates that  he  did  not  write  primarily  for  Jews.     (See 
Matthew's  Gospel,  4:14,  15;  12:17,  i&) 
2 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 

THIRD  DAY:  MARK  1 19-11.    THE  BAPTISM. 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  CHRIST'S  PUBLIC  MINISTRY. 

Notice  that  Mark  begins  with  Jesus  full  grown.  He 
seeks  to  present  Him  in  the  fulness  of  His  living  energy. 

Jesus  came  from  Nazareth,  v.  9.  What  had  He  been 
doing  there?  Luke  2:39,  40.  "The  hidden  years  at 
Nazareth." 

It  is  thought  that  the  place  where  Jesus  was  baptized 
was  near  Jericho ;  locate  it. 
Which  John  is  this  in  verse  9? 

What  did  this  voice  from  heaven  say? 

What  additional  fact  about  Jesus  is  stated  in  Luke 
3:21? 

Remember  the  three  principal  divisions  of  Palestine, 
west  of  the  Jordan :  Judea,  in  the  south ;  Samaria,  in  the 
centre;  and  Galilee,  in  the  north.  Perea  was  the  great 
division  east  of  the  Jordan. 

Here  again  we  have  the  idea  of  being  clean  before  en- 
tering upon  God's  service.  The  symbolic  washing  with 
water  is  often  referred  to  in  the  Old  Testament.  (See 
Ps.  26:6;  Isa.  1:18;  Zech.  13:1.) 

Stalker  divides  Christ's  life  into  five  parts:  i.  The 
Beginning,  covering  the  thirty  years  of  private  life  and 
entirely  omitted  by  Mark.  2.  The  year  of  Obscurity, 
both  because  the  records  of  it  which  we  possess  are  scanty, 
and  because  He  seems  during  it  to  have  been  only  slowly 
emerging  into  public  notice.  It  was  spent,  for  the  most 
part,  in  Judca.  3.  The  year  of  Popularity,  spent  almost 
wholly  in  Galilee.  4.  The  year  of  Opposition,  spent  partly 
in  Perea,  and  5.  The  End,  which  includes  the  events  of 
the  last  week.  Fix  these  divisions  in  your  mind. 
3 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 


FOURTH   DAY:    MARK    1:12,    13.     THE   TEMPTATION. 
(Read  also  Matt.  4:1-11.) 

As  soon  as  God  says,  "  Thou  art  my  beloved  son,"  the 
devil  says,  "  Are  you  ?  " 

Compare  this  brief,  vivid  account  with  the  same  ac- 
count in  Matt.  4:1-11. 

Picture  the  surroundings:  wilderness,  driveth  him, 
with  wild  beasts,  angels. 

What  was  the  first  temptation  according  to  Matthew? 


What  the  second  ? 

What  the  third? 

In  what  way  does  Christ  answer  the  tempter? 

Memorize  Ps.  I. 

At  what  point  in  Christ's  public  ministry  did  the  temp- 
tation occur  ? 

Was  He  ever  tempted  again?    See  Luke  4:13,  22:28. 


Prepared  for  His  work,  He  is  now  tested  as  to  His  fit- 
ness to  undertake  it. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  Luke  4 :3-  "  Spiritual  evil 
always  chooses  a  trifle,  something  from  which  it  seems 
that  no  harm  can  possibly  come,  to  win  its  victim  to  the 
first  false  step." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  JOHN  2 113-22.   HE  CLEANSES  THE  TEMPLE. 
(THE  JUDEAN  MINISTRY,  JOHN  2:13-4:42.) 

(As  these  studies  are  designed  to  give  Mark's  story  of 
Christ's  life,  the  Judean  ministry,  which  Mark  omits,  is 
here  briefly  treated  merely  for  the  sake  of  completeness.) 

Immediately  after  the  temptation,  John  Baptist  pointed 
his  disciples  to  Jesus,  and  five  or  six  left  John  and  be- 
came disciples  of  Jesus.  (John  1 :29-5i.) 

Jesus  then  attended  the  wedding  at  Cana  of  Galilee 
(John  2:1-11)  and  performed  His  first  miracle — that  of 
turning  water  into  wine. 

The  Passover,  v.  13.  Read  Ex.  12:11-13,  23,  24,  and 
write  out  its  meaning. 

What  did  Jesus  find  in  the  temple  ? 
What  did  He  do? 
Why  did  He  do  this? 

Can  you  think  of  any  temples  that  ought  to  be  cleansed  ? 

God's  method  seems  always  to  have  been  first  to  make 
clean.  In  the  days  of  Hezekiah,  when  the  Temple  had 
all  kinds  of  filth  brought  into  it,  the  priests  came  and 
cleansed  it.  (2  Chron.  29:16.)  Later,  in  Nehemiah's 
time,  when  household  goods  had  been  stored  in  the  tem- 
ple, Nehemiah  came  up  and  cast  them  out.  (  Neh.  1 3 :8, 9. ) 

PRAYER  :  My  Heavenly  Father,  I  come  to  Thee  now,  as 
I  enter  upon  the  study  of  these  holy  things,  asking  that 
my  heart  may  be  thoroughly  cleansed,  that  not  one  im- 
pure thought  may  find  a  place  in  my  mind,  and  that  every 
imagination  of  my  heart  may  be  such  that  I  would  be  will- 
ing to  have  it  known  by  my  friends.  Amen. 
5 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 


SIXTH  DAY:   JOHN  3:1-21.    HE  TALKS  WITH  NICODE- 

MUS. 

A  Pharisee,  v.  I.  A  sect  of  the  Jews.  It  was  com- 
posed of  those  pious  Jews  who  were  especially  exact  about 
the  interpretation  and  observance  of  the  Old  Testament 
ceremonial  law.  For  another  illustration,  see  Luke 
18:10-12. 

Why  do  you  suppose  Nicodemus  came  by  night  ?  John 
3:2.  See  John  12:42,  43. 


What  caused  him  to  come  to  see  Jesus? 


What  did  he  say  they  knew  about  Jesus? 


Note  that  Jesus  tells  Nicodemus,  a  "  teacher  of  Israel," 
that  he  needs  a  new  life,  not  some  conformity  of  the  old ; 
he  needs  to  be  born  into  the  spiritual  life  as  he  was  born 
into  the  natural  life. 

Memorize  John  3  :i6.  Luther  called  this  verse  the  Lit- 
tle Gospel.  It  is  the  best  known  verse  in  the  Bible. 

"  I  need  not  leave  the  jostling  world, 
Or  wait  till  daily  tasks  are  o'er, 
To  fold  my  palms  in  secret  prayer 
Within  the  close-shut  door. 

"  There  is  a  viewless,  cloistered  room, 
As  high  as  heaven,  as  fair  as  day, 
Where,  tho'  my  feet  may  join  the  throng, 
My  soul  can  enter  in  and  pray." 
6 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FIRST  WEEK:    OPENING  EVENTS  AND 
JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 

SEVENTH  DAY:   JOHN  4:1-26.    THROUGH  SAMARIA. 

Consult  the  map  and  tell  why  the  word  "  must  "  is  used. 
Vs.  3,  4- 

This  is  the  last  incident  in  His  Judean  ministry.  His 
work  from  this  time  on  was  nearly  all  in  Galilee.  Eight 
months  of  His  life  are  recorded  in  John  3  :22. 

Locate  Sychar  on  the  map. 

Sixth  hour,  v.  6.  Noon,  the  warmest  part  of  the  day. 
What  shows  that  Jesus  had  human  needs  ?  Vs.  6,  7,  8. 


Remember  that  he  had  disciples  now. 

How  would  the  woman  know  that  Jesus  was  a  Jew? 

v.9. 


What  did  Jesus  mean  by  verse  14? 


Where  and  how  did  Jesus  say  was  the  proper  place 
to  worship?    Vs.  21-24. 


Who  did  Jesus  tell  this  woman  He  was  ?    V.  26. 

This  Judean  Ministry  is  also  called  the  Period  of  Ob- 
scurity. Very  few  events  are  recorded,  although  the  time 
covered  was  about  nine  months.  It  was  a  period  of  ob- 
scurity, too,  because  Jesus  did  not  show  himself  to  mul- 
titudes, but  to  individuals. 

Contrast  John  3  and  4  with  the  studies  to  follow  in  the 
Galilean  Ministry. 

"  At  the  well  of  Jacob  He  is  a  man^-a  weary,  lonely, 
wayfaring  man — not  the  benefactor  but  the  benefited,  not 
the  donor  but  the  suppliant,  not  the  pitying  but  the  pitied." 
1 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  1 114, 15.    JESUS  PREACHING. 

The  beginning  of  the  Galilean  Ministry.  In  Mark's 
Gospel  this  covers  Mark  1 114 — 9:50. 

The  Period  of  Popularity. 

We  read  that  He  came  into  Galilee;  where  had  He 
been? 


Why  did  He  leave  Judea ?    Matt.  4  :i2.    See  John  i  :i i. 


"  The  extreme  length  of  Palestine,  from  north  to  south, 
is  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles,  and  the  aver- 
age width  of  it  not  more  than  thirty-five  miles." 

What  were  the  three  principal  divisions  of  Palestine  ? 


Tell  in  your  own  words  what  Jesus  preached. 


What  was  done  with  this  John?    See  Mark  6:17,  18. 


Memorize  Matt.  6:33. 

PRAYER  :  Lord  Jesus,  as  I  enter  upon  the  study  of  Thy 
Life,  give  me  power  to  understand  Thy  words  and  life ; 
help  me  to  accept  them  as  true,  and  to  live  as  one  should 
who  knows  that  they  are  true ;  help  me  to  seek  first  Thy 
Kingdom.  Amen. 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  1:16-20.  HE  CALLS  His  FIRST 
DISCIPLES. 

Sea  of  Galilee,  v.  16.  A  pear-shaped  sheet  of  water, 
"  i2l/2  miles  long,  6^4  broad  in  its  widest  part.  In  our 
Lord's  time,  the  western  shore  of  the  lake  was  the  busiest 
and  most  populous  part  of  Galilee,  while  the  eastern  was, 
for  the  most  part,  a  solitude." 

Why  is  it  called  the  Sea  of  Galilee  ? 

What  other  names  are  given  to  it?  Luke  5:1;  John 
21  :i ;  Matt.  4:15. 


What  four  men  are  named  here? 

How  did  He  call  them,  and  what  were  they  doing  ? 

Every  man  whom  Jesus  called  to  be  an  apostle  thought 
he  had  made  other  arrangements  for  his  life. 

When  had  He  called  them  before?    John  1:29-51. 

What  does  the  fact  that  they  had  hired  servants  show 
as  to  their  condition  in  life?  V.  20. 

Fishers  of  Men,  v.  17.  They  were  fishermen,  and  if 
they  went  with  Him  Jesus  would  show  them  fishing  that 
was  worth  while.  Apply  this  to  your  own  talents. 

Two  pairs  of  brothers  went  after  Him. 
Is  there  anything  recorded  here  or  in  John  1 :4i  that 
you  can  imitate? 


In  answer  to  His  call  they  left  their  relatives  and  pos- 
sessions to  follow  Him;  to  spend  every  day  in  the  so- 
ciety of  this  one  man,  to  go  about  with  Him  entirely  at 
His  direction,  and,  as  it  seems,  to  set  no  time  limit  to 
their  absence  from  home.  Would  you  be  willing  to  do  it  ? 
9 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  1:21,  22.    IN  THE  SYNAGOGUE  AT 
CAPERNAUM. 

Can  you  locate  Capernaum? 
What  is  it  called  in  Matt.  9:1  ? 
Where  did  Jesus  spend  His  boyhood? 

Why  did  Nazareth  cease  to  be  His  home?    See  Luke 
4:29. 

We  believe  that  Jesus  set  a  good  example ;  where  did 
He  go  on  the  Sabbath? 

What  did  He  do?    Compare  Luke  4:16,  17. 


Scribes,  Mark  i  :22.  Also  called  lawyers  and  doctors 
of  the  law.  They  explained  the  Jewish  law — the  first 
five  books  of  the  Old  Testament. 

As  Jesus  travelled  about,  was  He  alone?  See  Mark 
15:40,  41;  Mark  2:15;  Acts  1:21. 


What  two  important  events  stand  at  the  very  begin- 
ning of  Christ's  public  ministry? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  The  more  I  contemplate  this 
man,  the  more  astonished  I  am,  both  at  Him  and  at  the 
people  among  whom  He  lived.  Purity  itself,  able  to  heal 
all  manner  of  sickness,  speaking  words  of  wonderful 
power,  His  own  townsmen  cast  Him  out  and  would  have 
none  of  Him ! 

:o 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


FOURTH  DAY  :  MARK  1 123-28.    HE  CURES  A  MAN  WITH 
AN  UNCLEAN  SPIRIT. 

In  which  year  of  Christ's  public  ministry  is  this  event  ? 


A  man  with  an  unclean  spirit  was  very  much  like  an 
epileptic. 

How  could  such  a  man  be  in  the  synagogue  ? 


Why  do  you  suppose  the  man  cried  out  when  he  saw 
Jesus  ? 


What  did  the  man  say? 

Do  you  suppose  Jesus  told  him  to  stop  because  He  did 
not  care  for  the  testimony  of  the  unclean? 

How  does  this  apply  to  my  life? 

How  did  this  miracle  affect  the  bystanders? 


What  effect  did  it  have  upon  spreading  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus? 


11 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND  WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  1:29-31.    HE  HEALS  A  WOMAN. 

How  many  timts  so  far  has  the  word  straightway 
been  used? 


Mark  uses  it  in  all  forty-one  times.  Notice  that  in  the 
Revised  Version  it  is  always  straightway;  in  the  Au- 
thorized Version  the  same  Greek  word  is  translated  by 
many  English  words.  The  same  Greek  word  is  used  in 
each  of  the  following  passages:  Mark  1 130;  1 129;  6:25. 

Mark  usually  gives  the  names  of  people,  1:29;  13:3; 
15:21. 

Why  would  Simon  and  Andrew  live  in  the  same  house  ? 


What  was  Simon's  other  name?    How  and  why  was 
it  given  ?   John  1 142. 


How  did  Jesus  know  that  Simon's  mother-in-law  was 
sick? 


Is  it  a  good  thing  to  tell  Jesus  of  our  friends'  needs  ? 


Notice  that  Jesus  went  to  her,  and  took  hold  of  her. 
iated  personal  work. 
id  she  do  after  being  healed  ? 


He  appreciated  personal  work. 
What  did 


Saved  to  serve,"  is  a  good  motto  for  a  Christian. 
12 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,   HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


SIXTH  DAY  :   MARK  1 132-34.    HE  HEALS  MULTITUDES. 
What  day  of  the  week  was  this? 


The  Jewish  Sabbath  ended  at  sun-down;  at  that  time 
the  Jews  would  feel  free  to  carry  their  sick  to  Jesus. 

Try  to  picture  this  crowd  of  sick  people  jostling  and 
pushing  about  the  house  where  Jesus  was. 


What  did  He  do  for  these  people? 


Read  Luke  4:40  and  state  how  He  treated  these  sick 
people. 


Memorize  Isaiah  55:1  and  7. 

PRAYER  :  Almighty  God,  the  Lord  of  life  and  death,  in 
whose  hands  are  the  issues  of  my  life,  grant  that  I  may 
so  care  for  this  wonderful  body  with  which  Thou  hast 
blessed  me,  may  keep  it  so  sweet  and  pure  that  it  may 
indeed  be  a  fit  dwelling  place  for  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  and 
that  it  may  be  such  that  with  it  I  can  serve  Thee  fully. 
Amen. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SECOND   WEEK:    PREACHING,  HEALING, 
PRAYING. 


SEVENTH  DAY  :   MARK  1 135-38.    JESUS  AT  PRAYER. 

"  The  closet  is  not  only  the  oratory,  but  the  observatory.' 
Mark  gives  notes  of  time,  1:35;  2:1;  4:35  ;   15  :25. 
.What  time  and  place  did  Jesus  choose  for  praying? 


Notice  how  busy  He  had  been  the  day  before. 

Why  do  you  suppose  He  chose  such  a  time  and  place  ? 


How  was  He  disturbed? 


What  did  He  tell  them  He  came  for? 


The  Lord's  Prayer  is  recorded  in  Matthew  6  and  Luke 
II. 

"  By  all  means,  use  sometimes  to  be  alone, 

Salute  thyself,  see  what  thy  soul  doth  wear, 
Dare  to  look  in  thy  chest,  for  'tis  thine  own ; 

And  tumble  up  and  down  what  thou  findest  there." 

Jesus  as  a  man  of  prayer : 

He  made  prayer  the  real  battle-field  of  His  life.    Heb. 
5:7,  Luke  22:44,  John  12:27. 

He  followed  up  the  battle  with  prayer.    Mark  1 135. 

14 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


FIRST  DAY  :  MARK  1 139.    "  THE  CHURCH  ITINERANT." 

Read  also  the  Traveller's  Psalm.    Psalm  121. 

Jesus  spent  much  time  journeying  from  place  to  place, 
preaching  and  healing.  This  was  the  first  of  these  preach- 
ing tours. 

How  did  Jesus  and  His  friends  travel?  See  Luke 
24:17;  John  4:6. 


How  extensive  was  this  journey?    Matt.  4:23. 


Beginning  with  Nazareth,  Mark  1 19,  and  remembering 
the  time  in  Judea,  trace  on  the  map  the  journeys  of  Jesus 
up  to  this  time. 

How  many  miracles  recorded  in  Mark  had  He  per- 
formed up  to  this  time? 

Into  what  five  parts  does  Stalker  divide  Christ's  life? 


"What  did  this  supreme  man  dp  with  His  life?  He 
went  about  doing  good.  He  spent  it  in  the  service  of  the 
criminal,  the  vicious,  the  outcast,  the  vast  weltering 
masses  of  abandoned  humanity.  He  took  His  life  with 
its  superlative  wisdom  and  goodness  from  His  baptism 
to  His  crucifixion,  and  gave  it  in  one  continuous  sacrifice 
in  attestation  of  His  sense  of  the  worth  of  a  human  soul." 


15 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


SECOND  DAY  :   MARK  1 140-45.    HE  CURES  A  LEPER. 

"  There  cometh  to  Him  a  leper."  "  Leprosy  was  noth- 
ing short  of  a  living  death,  a  corrupting  of  all  the  humors, 
a  poisoning  of  the  very  springs,  a  dissolution,  little  by 
little,  of  the  whole  body."  The  leper  had  to  keep  far  off 
from  others,  and  make  known  his  disease  by  crying  out 
"  Unclean." 

Memorize  Psalm  51 17,  10.  Read  the  whole  Psalm.  It 
is  called  the  Penitential  Psalm. 

Notice  the  vividness  of  Mark's  picture:  cometh,  be- 
seeching, kneeling,  saying.  Mark  gives  vividness  to  his 
picture  by  using  the  present  tense.  See  also  2:10. 

How  many  times  is  the  word  clean  or  unclean  used  ? 


Use  marginal  reference  on  Mark  1 :44  to  show  what 
Moses  commanded. 


"  Compassion,  the  keynote  of  Christ's  ministry." 
Why  did  Jesus  ask  him  to  say  nothing  about  his  cure? 


What  does  verse  45  mean? 


Notice  in  verse  41  the  detail  of  Mark's  picture.    See 
the  same  effect  in  Mark  1 113,  20;  3:5,  9. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  2:1,  2.    IN  CAPERNAUM  AGAIN. 

"  It  was  noised  that  He  was  in  the  house."  Two  women 
missionaries  in  China  wrote  these  words  over  the  front 
door  of  their  home. 

Tell  something  about  what  such  a  house  as  the  one 
mentioned  in  v.  I  was  like. 


Picture  the  scene :  Jesus  in  the  house  and  great  crowds 
thronging  Him. 
What  did  He  do? 


What  does  "  word  "  mean?  (2:2). 


Compare  1 132,  37,  45 ;   2 :2,  and  state  whether  Jesus 
was  popular  at  this  time. 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  Jesus  had  plenty  of  friends 
when  people  thought  He  could  heal  their  sickness  and 
give  them  food  without  their  working  for  it,  and  make 
their  nation  politically  great.  They  turned  away  from 
Him  in  disgust  when  they  found  that  the  kingdom  He 
promised  was  that  heaven  should  rule  a  man's  personal 
life. 


17 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


FOURTH  DAY:   MARK  2:3-12.    THE  PARALYTIC  BORNE 
OF  FOUR. 

Write  out  vs.  3  and  4  in  your  own  words. 

They  uncovered  the  roof,  v.  4.  "  The  roofs  were  made 
by  laying  first  large  beams,  and  then  across  them  rude 
joists.  On  these  were  laid  flat  stones  or  slabs  of  tile  or 
dried  clay,  on  which  was  spread  earth  or  gravel  rolled 
hard  with  a  stone  roller  kept  on  the  roof  for  the  purpose. 
The  men  first  dug  through  the  earth,  as  Mark  says,  and 
then  pulled  up  the  tile  slabs,  as  Luke  tells  us.  Luke  5  :ig." 

The  bed,  v.  4,  was  like  a  padded  quilt. 

What  kept  the  sick  man  from  Jesus? 


What  did  the  action  of  the  four  men  show  as  to  their 
regard  for  the  sick  man? 

What  characteristics  of  a  Christian  Endeavor  Society 
or  a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  are  found  in 
v.  3? 


Would  Acts  10:38  be  fairly  descriptive  of  Jesus's  life 
up  to  this  time :  "  God  anointed  Jesus  of  Nazareth  with 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  power;  who  went  about  doing 
good,  and  healing  all  that  were  oppressed  of  the  devil ;  for 
God  was  with  Him"? 

Mention  four  events  occurring  in  the  Judean  Ministry. 

PRAYER  :  O  Christ,  may  I  have  faith  to  see  that  in  Thee 
dwells  all  power.  May  it  be  my  privilege  to  bring  my 
needy  friends  to  Thee  ;  and  may  I  also,  Lord,  be  privileged 
to  unite  my  efforts  for  the  extension  of  Thy  Kingdom  with 
other  men  who  have  like  desires. 
18 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  2 :3~i2.     HE  CURES  THE  PARALYTIC. 
What  did  Jesus  first  say  to  the  sick  man  ? 

How  did  this  miracle  affect  the  Scribes? 


Do  you  think  that  they  "  who  were  all  amazed  "  in  v. 
12  were  different  persons  from  the  Scribes  in  v.  6? 


What  reason  did  Jesus  give  for  changing  the  form  of 
words  spoken  to  the  sick  man  ? 


Memorize  I  John  1 :8,  9,  10. 

What  does  it  mean  to  glorify  God?    See  John  17:1. 


2:11.  Rise:  the  one  impossible  thing  for  him  to  do. 

Take  up  thy  bed:  make  no  provision  for  a  relapse. 
Walk:  use  the  power  you  have. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


SIXTH  DAY:   MARK  2:13,  14.    HE  CALLS  MATTHEW  TO 
BE  A  DISCIPLE. 

Why  did  Jesus  so  often  teach  by  the  sea-side  ? 


The  crowds  still  seek  Him,  2:13. 

What  other  name  did  Levi  have  ?    Matthew  9 19. 


What  does  Matthew  call  himself  in  his  own  list  of  the 
Apostles  in  Matthew  10:3? 

A  publican  was  a  local  tax-gatherer.  Publicans  were 
hated  all  over  the  Roman  Empire.  Theocritus  says  that 
the  worst  kind  of  wild  beasts  were  "  bears  and  lions  on 
the  mountains,  publicans  and  pettifoggers  in  the  cities." 
Notice  "  Publicans  and  sinners,"  in  2 115, 16,  17.  Matthew 
has  sometimes  been  called,  "  The  collector  of  the  port  of 
Capernaum."  The  place  of  toll  was  the  custom-house 
of  Capernaum. 

What  did  Jesus  say  to  Matthew  ? 


What  did  Matthew  do? 


Christ  cured  the  leper  and  called  the  hated  publican  to 
be  an  apostle.    What  do  I  need  to  have  Him  do  for  me  ? 


Heaven's  revelations  nearly  always  come  to  men  when 
engaged  in  their  daily  work.  It  was  so  with  Moses,  Gid- 
eon, Elisha,  Cary,  and  many  others.  The  disciples  were 
called  while  fishing  or  sitting  at  the  place  of  toll 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


THIRD  WEEK:    TRAVELLING  AND  HEALING. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  2:15-17.    MATTHEW'S  FEAST. 

Luke  says  that  Matthew  gave  this  great  feast  for  Jesus 
to  a  great  multitude  in  his  own  house.  (Luke  5  :2Q. ) 

What  would  this  show  as  to  Matthew's  financial  condi- 
tion, and  as  to  what  he  gave  up  in  order  to  become  a  dis- 
ciple? 


What  does  v.   17  tell  about  Christ's  mission  in  the 
world? 


Jesus  attended  this  feast:    what  does  this  show  as  to 
His  attitude  toward  such  things? 


Jesus's  answer  to  the  Pharisee's  question  is,  "  I  frequent 
the  haunts  of  sinners,  because  I  am  a  physician  and  they 
are  sick." 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  The  ministry  of  Jesus  was  a 
ministry  of  human  friendliness.  He  could  enjoy  the  fes- 
tivities of  a  wedding  (Jonn  2:1).  He  did  not  feel  that 
anything  in  His  religion  prevented  Him  from  being  a 
guest  at  a  dinner  given  in  His  honor  (Luke  5:29). 
Though  they  accused  Him  of  unholy  associations,  He 
continued  to  eat  with  publicans  and  sinners.  (Luke 
15:1,2.) 


21 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH   WEEK:    POPULARITY   AND 
OPPOSITION. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  2:18-20.    DISCIPLES   BLAMED  FOR 
NOT  FASTING. 

Sons  of  the  bride-chamber.  V.  19.  Guests,  who  ac- 
companied the  bridegroom  to  the  house  of  the  bride,  usu- 
ally the  most  intimate  friends  of  the  bridegroom.  John 
Baptist  called  himself  the  friend  of  the  bridegroom.  John 
3:29. 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  the  term  here,  and  why  did  He 
use  it? 


Taken  away,  v.  20.  The  word  implies  a  violent  death. 
He  always  had  the  thought  of  His  coming  death  before 
Him. 

What  were  the  Pharisees,  v.  16? 


.What  was  their  attitude  toward  Jesus? 


Notice  the  use  of  the  word  fast  in  each  verse.    Of  what 
was  it  a  sign  ? 

Is  it  true  in  your  life  that  the  only  real  sorrow  for  a 
Christian  is  separation  from  Christ? 

What  two  important  events  already  referred  to  stand  at 
the  beginning  of  Christ's  ministry? 


The  public  ministry  of  Christ  covered  a  period  of  about 
three  years.  Most  of  His  ministry  was  spent  in  three 
definite  sections  of  Palestine.  What  is  each  of  these  three 
years  called  from  the  section  in  which  the  time  was  spent  ? 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:    POPULARITY   AND 
OPPOSITION. 


SECOND  DAY:    MARK  2:21,  22.     NEW  WINE  IN  OLD 
BOTTLES. 

Wine-skins,  v.  22.  These  were  the  bottles  of  that  time 
and  country.  They  were  made  of  the  skin  of  the  goat. 

The  figure  here  is  that  the  piece  of  new  cloth  sewed 
on,  when  wet,  would  shrink,  and  in  shrinking  would  tear 
the  old  cloth ;  the  new  wine,  put  in  the  old  wine-skins,  in 
fermenting,  would  burst  the  weak  skins. 

"  For  flying  it  is  not  an  improved  caterpillar  that  is 
needed,  it  is  a  butterfly ;  it  is  not  a  caterpillar  of  finer 
color  or  more  rapid  movement,  or  larger  proportions,  it 
is  a  new  creature."  Gal.  6:15. 

Jesus  was  careful  to  use  very  simple  comparisons. 

Who  came  as  one  preparing  the  way  for  Jesus  ? 

How  old  was  Jesus  when  He  began  His  public  min- 
istry ?  Luke  3 123. 


PRAYER  :  My  Lord,  I  come  confessing  that  too  often  I 
have  tried  by  patching  to  make  the  old  garment  appear 
new.  I  beseech  Thee  to  help  me  to  understand  that  I  can- 
not be  partly  honest  and  partly  dishonest ;  that  I  cannot 
be  partly  pure  and  partly  impure.  May  I  see  clearly  that 
I  should  be  completely  what  Thou  wouldest  have  me  to 
be.  Amen. 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:    POPULARITY   AND 
OPPOSITION. 


THIRD  DAY:    MARK  2:23-28.    ACCUSED  OF  BREAKING 
THE  SABBATH. 

Through  the  corn-fields,  v.  23.  "  The  roads  were  nar- 
row foot-paths  and  the  travellers  had  all  the  appearance 
of  wading  through  the  corn." 

As  soon  as  the  disciples  began  to  pluck  the  ears,  the 
Pharisees  spoke  to  Jesus.  What  would  this  imply  as  to 
the  attitude  of  the  Pharisees  to  Jesus  ? 


Corn,  v.  23.    This  was  very  similar  to  our  wheat. 

To  pluck  ears  was  to  reap,  and  to  rub  ears  in  the  hand 
was  to  thresh,  and  these  actions  were  forbidden  on  the 
Sabbath.  See  marginal  reference  for  explanation.  What 
great  principle  did  Jesus  announce  as  governing  in  such 
matters  ? 


What  did  He  mean  by  verse  28? 


"  His  doctrine  was  this :  the  Sabbath  was  meant  to  be 
a  boon  to  man,  not  a  burden;  it  was  not  a  day  taken  from 
man  in  an  exacting  spirit,  but  a  day  given  by  God  in 
mercy  to  man— God's  holiday  to  His  subjects." 


Memorize  Ex.  20:8-11. 

24 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:    POPULARITY  AND 
OPPOSITION. 


FOURTH  DAY:  READ  CHAPTER  i. 

At  what  point  in  Christ's  life  does  Mark  begin  his 
Gospel? 


How  old  was  Jesus  at  that  time? 

Write  opposite  these  references  the  events  referred  to: 

1:9-11. 

i  :i2,  13. 

i  :i4,  15. 

&  :  16-20. 

I  !2I,  22. 

i  :23-28. 


'32-34- 
'.35-38- 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:  POPULARITY  AND 
OPPOSITION. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  READ  CHAPTER  2. 

During  the  time  of  the  events  recorded  in  this  chapter 
where  was  Jesus  working? 


Which  period  of  His  ministry  was  this?    Obscurity  or 
Popularity  ? 


Mention  anything  showing  that  many  sought  Jesus  at 
this  time. 


Mention  anything  showing  that  opposition  had  been 
aroused. 


Write  out  the  things  Jesus  did,  as  recorded  in  Chap.  2. 


"  Strong  Son  of  God,  immortal  Love, 

Whom  we,  that  have  not  seen  Thy  face, 
By  faith  and  faith  alone  embrace, 
Believing  where  we  cannot  prove; 

"  Thou  seemest  human  and  divine, 

The  highest,  holiest  manhood,  Thou : 
Our  wills  are  ours,  we  know  not  how ; 
Our  wills  are  ours,  to  make  them  Thine." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:    POPULARITY   AND 
OPPOSITION. 


SIXTH  DAY:   MARK  3:1-6.    HE  CURES  A  MAN  WITH  A 
WITHERED  HAND. 

Notice  the  attitude  of  the  persons  referred  to  in  v.  2. 
What  answer  would  you  give  to  His  question  in  v.  4? 

Why  did  they  not  answer? 


Notice  the  anger  and  grief  of  Jesus  and  their  silence. 

Herodians,  v.  6.  They  were  the  political  sympathizers 
with  the  family  of  Herod  and  were  the  natural  enemies 
of  the  Pharisees. 

What  does  their  joining  with  the  Pharisees  now  indi- 
cate as  to  their  feeling  toward  Jesus  ? 


What  did  Jesus  do,  notwithstanding  their  attitude  ? 


How  would  you  describe  the  trait  in  Jesus's  character 
shown  by  His  action  here  ? 


What  are  we  told  was  Jesus's  feeling  toward  the  Phari- 
sees? 

One  who  can  be  grieved  and  angered  can  sympathize 
with  me. 

Mark  is  fond  of  using  double  terms,  as  in  v.  5,  "  with 
anger,  being  grieved ; "  1 145,  "  publish  and  spread 
abroad  ;  "  5  13,  "  bind  him,  no,  not  with  a  chain." 

"  The  aim  of  Christianity  is  to  have  the  deformed  trans- 
formed." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTH  WEEK:    POPULARITY  AND 
OPPOSITION. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  37-12.    GREAT  POPULARITY. 

Jesus  is  still  in  Capernaum. 
Locate  these  places  on  the  map. 

Jerusalem  was  eighty  miles  from  Capernaum.  Estimate 
the  distances  of  the  other  places.  What  do  these  facts 
indicate  as  to  the  feeling  of  the  people  ? 


Note  the  use  of  "  a  great  multitude  "  twice. 

As  showing  His  popularity  at  this  time,  compare  vs. 
1:28,35-37,45;  2:1-4,15;  3:10,11,20;  5:31;  6:1,31; 
8:2. 


What  opinion  did  the  sick  have  of  Jesus?    V.  IO. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


FIRST   DAY:    MARK   3:13-19.     HE  CHOOSES  TWELVE 
APOSTLES. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  life  of 
Jesus. 

"  Because  Pharisaic  hatred  was  becoming  so  threaten- 
ing and  popular  enthusiasm  was  opening  opportunities 
which  He  singly  could  not  utilize,  He  felt  His  need  both 
of  companions  and  messengers."  "  He  appointed  twelve 
that  they  might  be  with  him  and  that  he  might  send 
them  forth."  v.  14. 

Boanerges,  which  is  sons  of  thunder,  v.  17.  What  does 
this  interpretation  of  Boanerges  indicate  as  to  the 
people  for  whom  he  wrote? 

Why  did  Jesus  want  these  men  to  be  with  Him  be- 
fore going  out  to  work? 

How  did  He  spend  the  night  before  choosing  these 
men?  Luke  6:12. 

Luke  says  He  chose  these  from  a  larger  number  and 
gave  them  a  new  name.  What  was  it?  Luke  6:13. 

What  does  "disciple"  mean? 

What  does  "  apostle  "  mean  ? 

Is  there  any  reason  why  there  should  be  twelve? 

What  were  their  duties  to  be? 

PRAYER  :  Blessed  Master,  canst  Thou  not  see  in  me 
something  which  led  Thee  to  choose  these  men?  Wilt 
Thou  not  give  me  the  joy  of  being  with  Thee,  and 
then  when  I  have  been  taught  by  Thee,  wilt  Thou  not 
send  me  forth  to  carry  Thy  message,  and,  like  Thee, 
to  bind  up  the  broken  hearted  ?  Amen. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  3:13-19.    THE  TWELVE  APOSTLES. 

The  list  of  apostles  is  given  four  times.  Matthew  10:1- 
4,  Mark  3:16,  Luke  6:14,  Acts  i  :6$. 

Notice  the  name  always  first  and  the  one  always  last. 
As  far  as  you  know  what  kind  of  men  were  they  ? 


All  but  Judas  were  Galileans. 

It  has  been  conjectured  that  half  of  the  apostles  were 
relations  of  Jesus,  and  that  many  were  near  relations  of 
each  other. 

Which  of  the  twelve  had  been  called  before  ? 


Read  Matt.  26 :35,  70 ;  26:15;  John  12:22;  20:24,25; 
1 146,  and  try  to  form  some  idea  of  the  kind  of  men  Jesus 
chose. 


Which  three  were  His  most  intimate  companions? 
Mark  9:2,  14:33. 

"  These  fishermen  of  Galilee  were  originally  united  not 
by  a  creed,  but  by  an  ideal — a  standard  of  imitation.  What 
they  subscribed  to  was  not  an  assent  to  certain  doctrines ; 
it  was  a  promise  of  certain  actions.  They  began  and  they 
ended  with  faith ;  but  the  beginning  of  their  faith  was 
not  the  signing  of  a  confession ;  it  was  the  expression  of 
a  desire  to  follow  Jesus." 

Have  you  not  begun  to  see  ;n  Jesus  one  whom  it  would 
be  safe  for  you  to  follow  ? 

"  Lord,  speak  to  me,  that  I  may  speak 

In  living  echoes  of  Thy  tone ; 
As  Thou  hast  sought,  so  let  me  seek 
Thy  erring  children,  lost  and  lone." 


30 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


THIRD  DAY:    MATT.   5:1-12.     THE   SERMON  ON  THE 
MOUNT. 

Having  chosen  His  apostles,  Jesus  delivered  to  them  an 
inaugural  charge  recorded  in  Matt.  5,  6,  7,  describing  the 
kind  of  people  who  should  be  in  His  kingdom,  their  char- 
acter, privileges,  and  responsibilities,  together  with  certain 
rules  to  govern  their  actions.  Among  them  was  included 
what  we  now  call  the  Golden  Rule,  Matt.  7:12.  Learn 
this  verse.  Remember  that  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  is 
recorded  in  Matt.  5,  6,  7.  Its  key-note  is  "  Self-forget- 
fulness."  The  Beatitudes  are  recorded  in  Matt.  5. 

Read  vs.  i  to  12  and  write  down  the  kind  of  people 
that  are  blessed  or  happy. 


Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  knew  best  who  were  happy  ? 

What  effect  did  the  address  have  on  those  who  heard 
it?    Matt.  7 -.28,  29. 


Having  finished  His  sermon  He  and  His  disciples  made 
another  tour  through  Galilee,  preaching,  teaching,  and 
healing. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  A  boy  in  front  of  a  good  din- 
ner has  happiness  of  one  kind.  It  is  about  the  same 
grade  of  happiness  that  a  dog  has  to  whom  you  have  just 
given  a  bone.  So  a  boy  with  a  good  warm  coat  on,  who 
is  out  in  the  storm,  has  a  happiness  somewhat  like  that 
of  a  cat  lying  in  front  of  a  warm  fire.  But  is  there  no 
happiness  higher  than  this?  Surely.  The  boy  who  has 
mastered  a  difficult  lesson,  so  that  he  feels  he  can  pass 
a  good  examination,  has  a  happiness  far  higher  in  grade 
than  he  who  has  only  eaten  a  good  dinner." 

What  kind  of  happiness  have  you  been  seeking  this  last 
week? 

31 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTH  WEEK.    CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  3:19-21.     WHAT  His  FRIENDS 
THOUGHT  OF  HIM. 

"If  the  Master  were  beaten  out  of  the  world  to-morrow, 
there  are  some  Christian  people  who  wouldn't  lose  a  cent." 

"  He  cometh  into  a  house,"  might  read  "  He  cometh 
home."  It  was  His  custom  to  escape  the  crowd  by  retir- 
ing to  some  home,  7:17,  28.  Would  He  seek  yours  for 
this  purpose  ? 


Compare  v.  20  with  6:31  and  try  to  picture  His  sur- 
roundings at  this  time. 

Who  is  meant  by  "  his  friends  ?  " 


Read  John  14 :2i  and  say  whether  by  this  test  you  would 
be  classed  among  His  friends. 

What  does  "  lay  hold  on  him  "  mean? 


"  He  is  beside  himself,"  means  the  same  as  "  insane.' 
What  does  "  it "  in  v.  21  mean? 


What  made  them  think  He  was  insane? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  3 122-30.   ACCUSED  OF  BEING  HELPED 
BY  SATAN. 

Beelzebub,  v.  22.  This  was  the  title  of  a  heathen  deity 
to  whom  the  Jews  ascribed  the  sovereignty  of  evil  spirits. 

How  far  and  in  what  direction  was  Jerusalem  from 
Capernaum  ? 

What  does  the  fact  that  the  Scribes  had  come  all  that 
way  show  as  to  their  feeling  toward  Jesus? 

Compare  v.  30  and  state  what  accusation  they  make 
against  Him  in  v.  22. 


V.  23-27,  "  I  can't  use  the  power  of  Satan,  for  a 
kingdom  divided  against  itself  must  fall.  You  don't  ac- 
cuse your  sons  of  being  in  league  with  the  devil  because 
they  do  such  things !  If  I  do  this  by  God's  help,  then 
the  kingdom  of  God  is  here  where  I  am.  How  could  I 
enter  Satan's  kingdom  unless  I  was  stronger  than  he  ?  " 

Tell  in  your  own  words  what  these  Pharisees  thought 
of  Him? 

What  does  Jesus  teach  us  in  v.  2£  about  the  way  we 
should  resist  Satan? 


Notice  that  Jesus  was  willing  to  meet  them.  They 
spoke  insinuatingly  to  the  people ;  He  boldly  "  called  them 
unto  him,"  v.  23.  He  never  feared  them. 

"  By  the  prince  of  the  devils  he  casteth  out  the  devils," 
v.  22.  "  It  was  a  lame  theory,  as  Jesus  showed ;  but  it  was 
at  least  conclusive  that  devils  were  cast  out  and  in  great 
numbers." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


SIXTH  DAY:  MARK  3:31-35.    THE  REAL  RELATIONS  OF 

JESUS. 

Who  was  Jesus's  mother? 
Who  was  her  husband? 


Jesus  had  brothers  and  sisters.  Mark  6:3.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  Joseph  died  when  Jesus  was  a  child,  and  He 
was  left  to  be  the  head  of  the  family. 

In  v.  21  His  friends  seek  to  restrain  Him;  then  His 
enemies  accuse  Him ;  now  His  relations  come.  See  John 
7:5,  and  state  what  the  attitude  of  His  relations  was. 

Who  did  He  say  were  His  real  relations  ? 


"  Ye  are  my  friends  if  ye  do  whatever  I  command  you." 
John  14:21. 

Obedience  is  the  great  test.  See  how  much  depends 
upon  it,  John  15:10;  I  John  3:22;  I  John  2:3-4.  God 
helps  those  who  obey.  John  7  :i7-  Memorize  this  verse. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTH  WEEK.     CHOOSING  HIS  HELPERS. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  3:1-35. 

In  this  chapter  what  is  the  attitude  of  the  Pharisees 
toward  Him? 


Give  any  reason  you  can  think  of  for  this  attitude. 
What  was  the  attitude  of  His  friends  and  relations  ? 


During  this  time  and  notwithstanding  this  feeling,  what 
does  Jesus  do  ?    Vs.  5,  7,  10,  14. 


Are  you  ever  discouraged  because  you  have  not  been 
appreciated  ? 

Notice  His  movements,  vs.  I,  7,  13,  19. 
Note  the  omission  by  Mark  of  the  great  discourse. 
Note  the  crowds,  vs.  7,  8,  9,  10,  20,  32. 
An  advance  step  in  organization  is  described  in  vs. 
13,  14.    What  was  it? 


Mark  is  fond  of  recording  groups  of  miracles.  See 
1:32-34;  1:39;  3:10. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  In  Jesus  Christ  I  see  one  who 
knows  how  to  teach  and  who  knows  what  I  need  to  learn. 
"  In  him  are  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge." 
O !  that  I  might  realize  this  to-day,  for  I  am  seeking  wis- 
dom and  knowledge  and  come  to  Him  with  the  prayer  of 
the  Psalmist,  "  Show  me  Thy  ways,  O !  Lord ;  teach  me 
Thy  paths." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  4:1-9.    THE  DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF 
SOIL. 

Picture  the  scene  in  v.  I ;   the  sea-shore,  the  boat,  the 
crowd. 
Parable,  v.  2.    An  earthly  story  with  a  heavenly  mean- 


ing. 
H 


ow  does  a  parable  differ  from  a  fable  ? 


This  is  a  method  of  teaching  Jesus  has  not  used  hitherto. 
As  He  sat  there  by  the  sea-shore,  Jesus  may  have 
pointed  to  a  man  actually  sowing  seed. 
Jesus  mentions  four  kinds  of  soil : 
V.  4.  Way-side — beaten  path. 
V.  5.  Rocky — thin  soil  over  underlying  rock. 
V.  7.  Thorns — occupied  by  other  growths. 
V.  8.  Good  ground. 

What  happened  to  the  seed  in  each  case  ? 
V.4- 


Vs.  5,  6. 

V.7- 
V.  8. 


While  you  were  reading  the  above  passage  which  kind 
of  soil  would  represent  the  condition  of  your  heart  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  4:1-9.  THE  DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF 
SOIL  (Continued). 

Write  out  vs.  3  to  8  in  your  own  words. 


This  parable  is  a  sort  of  review  of  His  ministry  up  to 
this  time.  His  words  had  fallen  upon  all  sorts  of  soil.  In 
what  we  have  studied  can  you  remember  illustrations  of 
this? 


Notice  the  words  used  to  describe  the  contact  of  the 
seed  with  the  soil  in  each  case : 

V.  4.  Some  fell  by  the  wayside. 

V.  5.  Fell  on  rocky  ground. 

V.  7.  Fell  among  the  thorns. 

V.  8.  Fell  into  the  good  ground. 

"  Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my  heart."  Can  you  remem- 
ber occasions  in  your  own  life  when  God's  word  fell  thus 
into  your  heart? 

Memorize  Gal.  6:7. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  Who  hath  ears  to  hear  let  him 
hear,  v.  9.  The  teachers  of  the  time  used  this  phrase  to 
call  their  scholars'  attention  to  something  especially  im- 
portant. O !  may  I  hear  the  words  of  the  great  teacher 
as  He  asks  me  to  listen  to  Him,  and,  listening,  may  I 
heed  the  gentle  warnings  that  fall  from  His  lips;  and 
in  these  lessons  day  by  day  may  I  take  into  my  heart  the 
words  He  speaks  to  His  disciples. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


THIRD  DAY  :  MARK  4 : 10-20.    THE  PARABLE  EXPLAINED. 

Mark  here,  contrary  to  his  custom,  records  at  length 
the  words  of  Jesus.  It  must  have  been  because  of  their 
importance. 

In  the  explanation  of  the  parable  which  Jesus  gives, 
He  compares  the  different  soils  to  hearers  of  God's  word. 
(Luke  8: 12.) 

Explain  in  your  own  words  the  kinds  of  hearers  in- 
tended by  the  following: 

Wayside,  v.  15.    See  v.  4. 

Rocky  places,  v.  16.    See  v.  5. 
Among  thorns,  vs.  18,  19.    See  v.  7. 
Good  ground,  v.  20.    See  v.  8. 

Which  class  of  hearers  would  you  say  you  are  usually 
in? 

What  characteristics  of  seed  make  it  a  good  symbol  of 
God's  word? 

Do  you  hear  the  word,  accept  it,  bear  fruit?    V.  20. 

Are  these  lessons  seed  ? 

Vs.  n,  12.  As  His  enemies  grow  stronger  Jesus  veils 
the  truth  in  parables,  so  that  those  who  wanted  to  learn  it 
could.  "  He  sifts  and  winnows  his  audience."  It  was 
like  the  pillar  of  fire :  useful  to  the  Israelites,  but  a  hinder- 
ance  to  the  Egyptians. 

The  lesson  of  this  parable  is  of  universal  application. 
It  is  true  of  my  study  of  any  subject.  If  my  mind  is 
beaten  hard  by  thoughts  of  games,  or,  if,  instead  of  taking 
the  subject  I  study  deep  down  into  my  heart,  I  merely 
cram  it,  or  if  my  mind  is  saturated  with  trashy  stories, 
and  literature  worse  than  useless,  there  will  be  no  fruit 
in  after  years — my  school  days  will  be  wasted.  May  I 
receive  my  daily  instruction  "  in  an  honest  and  good 
heart,"  "  hold  it  fast  and  bring  forth  fruit  with  patience." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


FOURTH  DAY:  MARK  4 121-25.    WARNINGS. 

Jesus  again  uses  the  phrase,  "If  any  man  hath  ears 
to  hear  let  him  hear."  V.  23. 

Lamp,  v.  21.  Shaped  like  a  small  plate  or  saucer  with 
edge  turned  up  at  one  side  to  hold  the  wick,  containing  a 
spoonful  of  oil. 

Bed,  v.  21.  This  is  not  the  same  Greek  word  as  in  2  :i I. 
Here  the  word  means  couch ;  a  lamp  could  not  be  put 
under  the  ordinary  bed  or  mat. 

Bushel,  v.  21.  Found  in  every  Jewish  house;  it  held 
about  a  peck. 

See  how  much  clearer  v.  21  is  in  the  Revised  Version 
than  in  the  Authorized  Version. 

In  Matt.  5 113,  14  what  did  Jesus  call  His  apostles? 

The  thought  in  Mark  4 :2i  is  that  they,  having  the  light, 
were  bound  to  let  it  shine.  "  If  we  do  not  use,  we  lose." 
Can  you  remember  some  time  when  your  light  was  shin- 
ing? 

Compare  v.  25  with  Luke  8:18  and  tell  what  Jesus 
meant  ? 


"  Take  heed  what  ye  hear,"  v.  24.  Do  the  things  which 
I  heard  to-day  and  yesterday  and  last  week  make  my 
heart  like  the  wayside  soil  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


FIFTH  DAY:    MARK  4:26-29.     THE  BLADE,  THE  EAR, 
AND  THE  FULL  CORN. 

Jesus  had  selected  His  apostles  and  had  given  them 
their  instructions.  This  and  the  next  parable  were  spoken 
to  them  by  way  of  encouragement.  This  one  seems  to 
have  been  intended  to  teach  them  humility,  dependence, 
faith,  and  patience. 

What  three  stages  of  growth  does  Jesus  mention? 

Are  you  ever  impatient  with  your  slow  progress  in  the 
Christian  life? 

What  does  He  say  is  the  attitude  of  the  farmer  after 
sowing  the  seed  ? 

Are  you  satisfied  to  leave  the  result  of  your  Christian 
work  with  God? 

No  one  expects  a  seed  to  become  a  great  tree  as  soon 
as  planted :  it  takes  time  to  become  a  mature  Christian. 

Begin  the  day  with  God, 

He  is  thy  Sun  and  Day ; 
He  is  the  radiance  of  thy  dawn, 

To  Him  address  thy  lay. 

Take  thy  first  meal  with  God, 

He  is  thy  heavenly  Food ; 
Feed  with  and  on  Him,  He  with  thee 

Will  feast  in  brotherhood. 

Thy  first  transaction  be 

With  God  Himself  above ; 
So  shall  thy  business  prosper  well, 

And  all  the  day  be  love. 


40 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MARK  4:30-32.     THE  PARABLE  OF  THE 
MUSTARD   SEED. 

Read  also  Matt.  13:33. 

Notice  Mark's  graphic  touches — "  less  than  all  seeds 
that  are  upon  the  earth,"  "  greater  than  all  herbs,"  "  put- 
teth  out  great  branches." 

Mustard  seed,  v.  31.  "As  small  as  a  grain  of  mustard 
seed  "  was  a  proverb  of  the  time.  Matt.  17 :2O. 

Don't  be  discouraged  if  in  the  beginning  your  faith 
seems  to  be  small. 

From  what  you  know  of  God's  kingdom  in  the  world 
tell  how  the  mustard  seed  is  an  appropriate  symbol  of 
its  beginning  in  numbers,  in  character  of  adherents,  in  the 
place  of  its  origin. 


What  lesson  is  there  here  for  us  as  to  our  spiritual  life? 


PRAYER  :  "  O  Lord,  our  Heavenly  Father,  almighty  and 
everlasting  God,  who  hast  safely  brought  us  to  the  be- 
ginning of  this  day,  defend  us  in  the  same  with  Thy 
mighty  power;  and  grant  that  this  day  we  fall  into  no 
sin,  neither  run  into  any  kind  of  danger;  but  that  all 
our  doings,  being  ordered  by  Thy  governance,  may  be 
righteous  in  Thy  sight ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen." 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 


SIXTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  BY  PARABLES. 


SEVENTH  DAY:    MARK  4:33,  34.     JESUS'S  METHOD  OF 
TEACHING. 

Read  also  John  16:12-15. 

Jesus  showed  His  wisdom  by  leading  His  hearers  from 
material  things  to  spiritual.  He  has  now  used  as  illustra- 
tions in  His  talks :  seed,  various  kinds  of  soil,  the  well- 
known  gradual  growth  of  plants,  a  lamp,  a  couch,  and  a 
measure.  The  great  rule  in  teaching  was  followed  by 
Him,  "  From  the  known  to  the  unknown." 

What  lessons  in  God's  goodness  can  we  learn  from  the 
things  about  us? 


He  suited  His  teachings  to  His  hearers'  ability,  v.  33. 

"  The  main  object  of  the  parable  was  to  wake  their 
wonder  .  .  .  not  to  conceal,  it  was  to  reveal  that  there 
was  something  hid." 

"  To  His  own  disciples  He  expounded  all  things."  See 
Ps.  25:14,  and  ask  yourself:  Is  my  life  such  that  God 
would  choose  me  as  one  to  whom  to  tell  His  secrets  ? 

"  Speak  to  me  by  name,  O  Master, 

Let  me  know  it  is  for  me, 
Speak,  that  I  may  follow  faster, 

With  a  step  more  firm  and  free, 
Where  the  shepherd  leads  his  flock 
In  the  shadows  of  the  rock." 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


FIRST  DAY:     MARK  4:35-41.     INTO  THE  STORM. 

Mark  is  careful  to  note  the  time.     "  When  even  was 
come,"  v.  35.     See  also  1:35;   2:1;  6:2;   11:11. 
Unto  the  other  side,  v.  35.    Other  side  of  what? 

The  cushion  of  v.  38  was  a  leather  seat  used  by  the 
steersman. 
Why  do  you  suppose  He  wanted  to  cross  the  sea  ? 


What  does  "  even  as  he  was  "  in  v.  36  mean  ? 

What  does  the  fact  that  He  was  asleep  show  as  to  His 
humanity  ? 


What  was  Jesus's  attitude  during  the  storm? 
Why  was  it  that  He  could  be  so  ? 
What  was  that  of  His  disciples  ? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  Many  rich  experiences  come 
to  us  in  our  daily  life.  These  men  were  fishermen,  ac- 
customed to  the  sea;  they  were  as  familiar  with  this 
crossing  as  with  crossing  the  street.  Before  being  sent 
forth,  however,  they  must  learn  their  own  helplessness 
and  learn  it  on  their  own  element,  where  they  thought 
they  were  strongest.  How  often  we  boast  of  our  own 
strength ! 

"  As  a  mother  stills  her  child, 
Thou  canst  hush  this  ocean  wild ; 
Boisterous  waves  obey  Thy  will 
When  Thou  sayest  to  them,  '  Be  still.' 
Wonderous  sovereign  of  the  sea, 
Jesus,  Saviour,  pilot  me." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  4:35-41.    INTO  THE  STORM  (Con- 
tinued). 

Read  the  account  and  write  down  the  details  given  by 
Mark. 


He  addressed  the  wind  and  sea  as  if  He  were  their  mas- 
ter, v.  39. 

To  Mark,  Jesus  is  the  one  who  speaks  and  it  is  done. 
See  1:18,20;  2:14;  3:5;  4:35. 

What  did  He  say  to  His  disciples  ? 


Remember  they  had  already  seen  many  miracles. 
What  effect  did  the  whole  event  have  on  the  disciples? 


v.  41 


Notice  that  they  were  astonished  not  so  much  because 
He  was  able  to  still  the  storm,  but  that  He  did  it  with  such 
evidence  of  authority. 

Compare  v.  39  with  Psalm  106:9.  "He  rebuked  the 
Red  Sea  also  and  it  was  dried  up."  Surely  we  have  here 
the  same  God  who  centuries  before  led  the  children  of 
Israel  out  of  Egypt  by  his  mighty  power.  But  notice 
that  Jesus  manifested  the  power  in  gentleness  and  love. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  some- 
thing more  than  the  Christ  of  history — a  blessed  memory ; 
or  the  Christ  of  prophecy — a  sublime  hope;  He  is  the 
Christ  of  to-day,  and  of  every  day,  a  living  reality  in  our 
lives,  a  very  present  help  in  time  of  need.  Faith  lays  hold 
upon  Him  as  one  who  is  ever  with  us  in  the  Church,  in 
the  household,  and  in  the  world.  He  is  the  close  com- 
panion of  our  daily  lives.  We  walk  the  hard  hillroads 
of  life  with  burning  hearts  because  He  bears  us  com- 
pany. We  pass  through  valleys  or  death  shades  with 
fearless  step  led  by  His  invisible  hand.  In  the  glory  of 
His  presence  toil  and  pain  are  transfigured." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  3:19-4:34.    ONE  DAY  IN  JESUS'S 
LIFE. 

"  They  take  Him  with  them  even  as  He  was"  v.  36. 
"  I  take  this  to  mean  that  He  was  not  in  a  condition  for 
physical  exertion,  for  rendering  nautical  help.  One  of 
His  human  hours  was  upon  Him;  He  was  weary  with 
the  burden  of  the  day.  Almost  immediately  after  start- 
ing, nature  asserts  itself  and  He  slept." 

Try  to  realize  what  a  day  this  had  been. 

The  swarming  crowds,  3:20,  32;  4:1. 

The  wrong  ideas  entertained  about  Him,  3:21,  22,  31. 

His  wearisome  defences,  3:23. 

His  preaching,  4 :2~33. 

His  personal  interviews,  4:10,  34. 

The  misunderstanding  disciples,  4:40. 

He  suggests  that  they  leave  the  crowd,  4 :35. 

Truly  this  was  the  mighty  worker. 

PRAYER  :  "  Glorify  Thy  Holy  name,  O  God,  through 
us  in  a  fruit-bearing  day.  Help  us  to  abide  in  Christ  that 
we  may  share  His  life  and  do  His  work.  If  the  channels 
of  our  thought  and  our  desire  are  choked  with  sin,  purge 
us  that  we  may  bring  forth  more  fruit.  In  morning  hours 
of  toil,  in  noontime  rest,  in  the  works  that  draw  to  an 
end  with  the  sun  setting,  and  in  our  evening  thoughts 
or  cares  abide  Thou  with  us  and  make  our  hearts  glad  in 
Thee.  The  night's  rest  and  the  new  strength  the  morn- 
ing brings  for  soul  and  body  are  from  Thee,  and  Thine 
shall  be  our  praise  in  every  gain  and  effort,  in  every  joy 
and  grief,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen." 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  5:1-5.     HE  MEETS  AN  INSANE 

MAN. 

What  sea  was  this  ? 

Why  had  they  crossed  the  sea  ? 

The  Country  of  the  Gerasenes,  v.  I.  In  the  district 
called  Gaulonitis  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  lake.  See 
vs.  ii  and  13  for  further  details  of  the  place.  See  map. 

Describe,  in  your  own  words,  the  condition  of  the  man 
mentioned  in  v.  2  as  given  in  vs.  2-5.  See  also  Matt.  8 :28 
and  Luke  8:27  for  further  details. 


What  does  the  word  "  tame,"  v.  4,  show  as  to  the  man's 
condition  ? 


Out  of  the  Tombs,  v.  2.  "These  tombs  were  either 
natural  caves  or  recesses  hewn  by  art  out  of  the  rock. 
Such  places  were  regarded  as  unclean  because  of  the 
dead  men's  bones  which  were  there.  Such  tombs  can  still 
be  traced  in  more  than  one  of  the  varines  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  lake." 

"Amid  all  the  boasted  civilization  of  antiquity,  there 
existed  no  hospitals,  no  penitentiaries,  no  asylums ;  and 
unfortunates  of  this  class,  being  too  dangerous  and  des- 
perate for  human  intercourse,  would  only  be  driven  forth 
from  among  their  fellow-men,  and  restrained  from  mis- 
chief by  measures  at  once  inadequate  and  cruel." 

Try  to  imagine  what  the  world  would  be  without  Chris- 
tianity. 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.     THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  5  -.6-14.    THE  INSANE  MAN. 
What  did  the  man  do  when  he  saw  Jesus  ? 

Why  do  you  suppose  Jesus  asked  the  man's  name  ? 
What  did  the  answer  "  My  name  is  Legion  "  mean  ? 
What  request  was  made  in  v.  10?    See  also  Luke  8 131. 


Swine  feeding,  v.  n.  Although  the  Jews  did  not  eat 
pork,  the  Romans  did,  and  these  pigs  may  have  been 
kept  to  supply  the  Roman  soldiers  stationed  in  the  coun- 
try. 

Why  Jesus  permitted  the  evil  spirits  to  enter  the  swine 
we  do  not  know.  Some  part  of  the  reason  may  be  found 
in  the  fact  that  if  the  owners  were  Jews  the  trade  was 
illegal;  if  heathen,  they  insulted  the  national  religion. 
In  any  event  the  destruction  of  the  2,000  swine  was  a 
striking  proof  of  the  power  which  Jesus  must  have  pos- 
sessed and  of  the  terrible  power  from  which  He  had  been 
able  to  deliver  the  man. 

What  happened  to  the  keepers? 


How  did  the  news  affect  the  inhabitants? 


Are  men  possessed  of  evil  spirits  now  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MARK  5:15-20.     THE  EFFECT  OF  THE 
MIRACLE. 

What  effect  did  the  miracle  have  on  the  people?    Vs. 
15,  17,  20. 


On  the  man?   Vs.  15,  18,  20? 

Try  to  picture  the  scene  of  v.  16:  the  few  who  wit- 
nessed the  event  telling  the  crowd  about  it. 

Why  did  they  want  Jesus  to  leave  their  country  ? 

Can  you  think  of  any  business  to-day  where  the  pro- 
prietors would  not  care  to  have  Jesus? 

Why  would  not  Jesus  let  the  man  go  with  Him  ? 

Have  you  ever  felt  uncomfortable  in  the  presence  of  a 
man  of  evident  spiritual  power  ? 

Mention  what  the  man  gave  up  and  what  he  received. 
What  did  the  man  want  to  do? 

What  did  he  have  to  do? 
Locate  Decapolis,  v.  20. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  Go  to  thy  house  and  to  thy 
friends  and  tell  them." 

To  be  a  missionary  at  home  where  one  is  well  known 
is  sometimes  harder  than  to  follow  Jesus  into  unknown 
regions.  The  light  must  shine  first  at  home.  We  must  be 
Christians  among  our  friends. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTH  WEEK.    THE  STORM  AT  SEA  AND 
INSANE  ON  SHORE. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   MARK  5:1-20.    THE  INSANE  MAN. 
Why  was  it  that  Jesus  crossed  the  sea? 

Apparently,  did  He  get  much  rest? 


Compare  "  in  his  right  mind,"  v.  15,  with  the  first  sen- 
tence in  Luke  15:17. 

Why  can  such  similar  phrases  be  used  of  this  man  in 
Mark  and  the  man  in  Luke? 


When  the  people  from  the  city  came  out  where  did 
they  find  the  man?    See  Luke  8:35. 


Why  do  you  suppose  he  wanted  to  be  there? 


Memorize  Matt.  1 1 :28,  29,  30. 

PRAYER:  "Possess  my  soul,  O  Christ!  I  feel  that 
something  must  possess  me.  My  heart  cannot  be  its  own 
master;  it  must  be  ruled  either  from  above  or  below. 
Come  and  take  the  place  from  which  my  higher  self  has 
fled.  Come  and  restrain  the  advance  of  the  lower  man. 
Come  and  make  me  Thy  captive  forevermore.  I  shall  own 
no  other  Master  when  I  am  possessed  by  Thee.  Amen." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

EIGHTH  WEEK.    DAYS  OF  POWER. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  5 121-24.    THE  APPEAL  OF  JAIRUS. 

Ruler  of  the  Synagogue,  v.  22.  Each  synagogue  had 
a  college  of  elders  who  conducted  the  worship  and  ex- 
ercised discipline. 

Jesus  now  goes  back  to  the  populous  side  of  the  lake. 

What  shows  that  the  people  expected  His  return? 


The  words  /  pray  thee,  v.  23,  are  in  italics.  Words 
printed  in  italics  in  the  Bible  are  not  in  the  original  text, 
but  are  inserted  in  the  English  translation  to  give  the 
sense. 

What  does  v.  23  show  as  to  Jairus's  attitude  toward 
Jesus  ? 


Believe  in  prayer  and  you  will  pray  believingly. 
What  brought  him  to  Jesus  ? 

What  did  he  think  it  necessary  for  Jesus  to  do?    V.  23. 
What  did  Jesus  do? 


What  may  we  learn  from  the  fact  that  here  He  left  the 
great  crowd  to  go  to  help  one  little  girl  ? 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 


EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS  OF  POWER. 


SECOND  DAY:    MARK  5:25-29.    THE  WOMAN  IN  THE 
CROWD. 

Notice  that  Jesus  was  on  His  way  to  the  home  of  Jairus. 
"  Such  overflowing  grace  is  in  Him  the  Prince  of  life, 
that,  as  He  was  hastening  to  accomplish  one  work  of  grace 
and  power,  He  accomplishes  another,  as  by  the  way." 

A  woman,  v.  25.  Her  disease  made  her  ceremonially 
unclean.  She  could  go  to  no  social  gathering,  to  no 
synagogue ;  her  friends  would  think  her  a  sinful  woman 
justly  punished. 

Notice  Mark's  details  in  v.  26. 

Luke  says  she  had  spent  all  her  money  trying  to  be 
cured.  Luke  8 :43. 

Why  did  she  come  to  Jesus  ? 


Do  the  things  which  you  have  heard  about  Him  draw 
you  to  Him? 

Why  "  in  the  crowd  behind  "  "  garment?  "    V.  27. 
What  does  v.  28  show  as  to  her  faith? 


Ignorant  faith  is  better  than  no  faith. 

How  did  her  faith  differ  from  that  of  Jairus?    V.  23. 


How  does  this  miracle  differ  from  all  others  that  we 
know  about? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS   OF  POWER. 


THIRD  DAY:    MARK  5:30-34.     THE  WOMAN  IN  THE 
CROWD. 

"  For  if  our  virtues  did  not  go  forth  of  us,  'twere  all 
alike  as  if  we  had  them  not." 

How  did  Jesus  know  someone  had  touched  Him  ?  Com- 
pare Luke  8  -.46. 

It  costs  something  to  do  good. 

Does  v.  31  indicate  to  your  mind  that  the  disciples  did 
not  like  the  interruption  ? 


Notice  that  when  Jesus  stopped  the  woman  was  already 
cured. 

Why  did  He  stop? 


Describe  the  scene  in  your  own  words. 

Mention  some  of  the  hindrances  in  the  woman's  way. 

Did  it  pay  her  to  overcome  them  ? 

Jesus  always  stops  at  the  cry  of  a  sinner.    Luke  18 140. 
'  Many  thronged,  but  one  touched."     How  did  her 
touch  differ  from  the  touch  of  others  ? 

Are  you  merely  among  a  crowd  of  followers  of  Jesus, 
or  are  you  in  personal  contact  with  Him  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS   OF  POWER. 


FOURTH   DAY:    MARK  5:35-43.     HE  HEALS  JAIRUS'S 
DAUGHTER. 

The  scene  in  the  home.  V.  38.  "  The  Jews,  like  other 
Eastern  nations,  hired  professional  mourners  whose  duty 
it  was  to  indulge  in  signs  of  grief ;  to  beat  on  their  breasts, 
to  utter  loud  groans,  and  to  shed  false  tears." 

What  do  vs.  35  and  40  show  about  their  idea  of  Jesus's 
power  ? 

Why  did  He  take  only  the  disciples  mentioned  in  v.  37  ? 
How  many  were  in  the  room  with  Jesus?    V.  40. 

Is  there  anything  in  v.  40  that  indicates  why  He  turned 
them  all  out? 

Talitha  cumi,  v.  41,  is  Aramaic;  Mark  tells  what  it 
means ;  what  does  this  show  about  the  people  for  whom 
he  wrote? 

These  are  the  very  words  Jesus  spoke.  They  help, 
therefore,  to  determine  the  language  He  used.  "  It  is  al- 
together probable  that  in  His  common  dealings  with  men, 
and  in  His  teachings,  Jesus  used  this  language  [Ara- 
maic]. Greek  was  the  language  of  the  Government  and 
of  trade,  and  in  a  measure  the  Jews  were  a  bi-lingual  peo- 
ple. Jesus  may  have  had  some  knowledge  of  Greek,  but 
it  is  unlikely  that  He  ever  used  it  to  any  extent,  either  in 
Galilee  or  in  Judea,  or  in  the  regions  of  Tyre  and  Sidon." 

How  did  this  miracle  affect  those  who  saw  it? 

Remember  that  some  of  them  had  already  seen  the  mir- 
acle in  Luke  7:11-17. 

Why  did  this  one  affect  them  in  this  way  ? 

"  That  no  man  should  know  this,"  v.  43.  Compare 
with  5:19  and  state  why  one  command  was  the  opposite 
of  the  other. 

58 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS  OF  POWER. 


FIFTH   DAY:    MARK  4:35-5:43-     ANOTHER   DAY   IN 
JESUS'S  LIFE. 

A  day  of  power.    At  what  point  in  His  ministry  is  He 
now? 

Make  a  list  of  the  miracles  of  this  day. 


In  these  miracles  over  what  did  Jesus  in  each  case  ex- 
ercise His  power? 

Notice  that  He  was  able  to  heal  mental  and  bodily  ills. 
What  was  the  effect  of  each  miracle  on  those  who  saw  ? 

Has  Jesus  this  same  power  to-day  ? 

What  can  you  say  about  the  faith  of  those  who  this  day 
sought  His  help? 

Notice  the  direct  discourse  in  each  case,  4 139 ;    5 :8 ; 

5  =34,  4i. 

PRAYER  :  "  O  God,  whose  mercy  makes  each  morn  a 
new  beginning  of  opportunity  and  strength,  so  uphold 
and  strengthen  us  in  Thine  infinite  compassion  that  we 
may  serve  Thee  this  day  in  child-like  love  and  glad  obe- 
dience. If  we  have  sinned  and  awake  to  consciousness 
with  shame  and  contrition  of  heart,  bring  to  our  thought 
the  sense  of  Thy  long-suffering  pity,  and  the  promise  of 
Thy  aid.  Out  of  the  wreck  of  larger  hopes  and  forfeited 
occasions  enable  us  to  build  our  lives  as  a  temple  to  Thine 
honor.  In  the  hour  of  temptation  be  Thou  our  shield. 
In  the  uplifting  of  our  joy  be  Thou  our  deepest  satisfac- 
tion. Teach  us  the  lesson  of  self-forgetfulness  that  we 
may  lose  our  gloomy  fears  in  thoughts  of  Thee  and  in 
happy  service  to  others.  So  may  our  day  be  spent  in 
quiet  work  and  restful  faith,  to  Thine  eternal  glory, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen." 
M  - 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS  OF  POWER. 

SIXTH  DAY:  MARK  6:1-3.    AT  HOME  AGAIN. 
He  went  out  from  thence,  v.  i.    Whence? 
His  own  country,  v.  I.    What  place  does  this  indicate? 
What  did  He  do  on  the  Sabbath?   V.  2. 
What  was  it  that  astonished  them? 

Do  the  questions  in  vs.  2,  3  come  from  one  or  a  num- 
ber of  people? 

What  did  they  mean  by  "  these  things  "  in  v.  2  ? 
What  was  their  opinion  of  Him? 

What  do  we  learn  here  about  His  family  life  and  His 
occupation  ? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  The  greatest  being,  confess- 
edly, that  ever  appeared  on  this  earth,  was  Jesus  of 
Nazareth ;  and  yet  all  that  we  are  told  of  eighteen  years 
of  His  life  is  that  He  was  a  carpenter.  He  is  an  ex- 
ample to  us  of  virtuous,  self-denying,  persevering  in- 
dustry. He  ennobled  all  toil  by  becoming  Himself  a  toiler. 
There  is  many  a  foolish  youth  who  deems  labor  degrad- 
ing and  idleness  respectable.  Let  the  lesson  be  impressed 
upon  the  mind  of  such,  that  occupation,  however  lowly,  is 
beneficent  and  noble." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


EIGHTH  WEEK.     DAYS   OF  POWER. 


SEVENTH   DAY:     MARK   6:4-6.     How   UNBELIEF   AF- 
FECTED HIM. 

Read  in  connection  with  this  week's  study  "  The  Honor 
Roll  of  Faith."     Heb.  n. 
What  did  He  mean  by  v.  4  ? 

What  was  a  prophet  ?    V.  4. 

See  Matt.  13 158  and  state  why  "  He  could  there  do  no 
mighty  work." 

Does  this  explain  some  of  your  unanswered  prayers? 
What  caused  Him  to  marvel  ? 
Why  do  you  suppose  He  marvelled  ? 

Is  the  reason  of  Matt.  13:58  applicable  in  your  life 
to-day? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  Christ  never  failed  to  dis- 
tinguish between  doubt  and  unbelief.  Doubt  is  can't  be- 
lieve; unbelief  is  won't  believe.  Doubt  is  honesty;  un- 
belief is  obstinacy.  Doubt  is  looking  for  light;  unbelief 
is  content  with  darkness." 

Memorize  John  3 :36. 

"  Born  within  a  lowly  stable,  where  the  cattle  round  me 

stood, 

Trained  a  Carpenter  in  Nazareth,  I  have  toiled  and 
found  it  good. 

"  They  who  tread  this  path  of  labor  follow  where  my  feet 

have  trod ; 

They  who  walk  without  complaining  do  the  holy  will 
of  God." 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  6:6.     READ  ALSO  MATT.  9:35.     A 
PREACHING  TOUR. 

Rejected  by  the  people  of  His  own  village,  He  starts  out 
to  tell  the  good  news  of  salvation  to  others ! 

How  often  is  it  recorded  so  far  that  Jesus  went  about 
preaching? 

These  tours  were  a  sort  of  training  of  the  disciples  in 
their  future  work. 

What  would  He  preach? 


Who  would  be  with   Him  on  these  journeys?     See 
Mark  15  :^i ;  Acts  1 :2i. 

Where  would  they  lodge? 

What  does  He  want  His  disciples  to  do  in  the  world  ? 


PRAYER  :  "  O  Lord  God,  strong  and  mighty,  we  would 
draw  near  to  Thee  confessing  our  weakness,  beseeching 
Thee  to  make  us  strong.  We  would  be  strong  in  body, 
that  we  may  do  our  work  in  life  well  and  cheerfully.  We 
would  be  strong  in  heart,  full  of  courage,  holding  pain 
and  danger  cheap  when  they  lie  in  the  way  of  duty.  We 
would  be  strong  in  love;  make  us  warm-hearted,  true 
friends,  loving  our  neighbors  as  ourselves  and  loving  Thee 
with  all  our  heart  and  soul  and  strength.  We  would  be 
strong  in  faith,  ever  trusting  in  the  victory  of  good  over 
evil ;  strong  in  hope,  undaunted  by  seeming  defeat,  al- 
ways looking  beyond  the  mists  and  clouds  of  time  into 
the  clear  shining  of  the  eternal  life;  strong  in  patience, 
bearing  our  burdens,  suffering  our  pains  quietly  and  with- 
out reproach  toward  men  or  rebellion  against  Thee.  Hear 
our  Prayer,  O  Lord,  who  art  our  strength  and  our  Re- 
deemer, for  Christ's  sake.  Amen." 

57 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


SECOND   DAY:    MARK  6:7-11.    HE   SENDS   OUT  THE 
APOSTLES. 

They  have  had  their  training,  now  they  are  sent  out. 
It  seems  sometimes  as  if  we  wanted  to  spend  all  our  lives 
in  training.  Jesus  wants, us  to  go  out. 

Wallet,  v.  8.    Used  specially  to  carry  food. 

Money,  v.  8,  literally  brass.  See  marginal  note  in  Au- 
thorized Version  for  explanation. 

Purse,  v.  8.  The  girdle  which  held  the  tunic  was 
wound  round  the  body  below  the  breast,  one  of  its  ends 
having  been  turned  up  and  stitched  in  such  a  way  as  to 
form  a  convenient  pocket  for  carrying  coins  and  other 
small  articles. 

Two  coats,  v.  9.  "  Take  no  extra  clothing,  go  as  you 
are." 

Shake  off  the  dust,  v.  u.  This  was  regarded  as  a  com- 
plete renunciation  of  all  further  responsibility.  For  illus- 
trations see  Acts  13:51  and  18:6, 

How  did  He  send  them  out? 

Give  some  reasons  why  it  would  be  advisable  to  send 
them  out  in  this  way.  Eccl.  4:9-12. 

What  authority  did  He  give  them?  V.  7.  See  also 
Luke  9:1. 

What  kind  of  a  man  must  He  have  been  to  give  such 
authority  ? 

Notice  that  Mark  omits  nearly  all  of  the  commission 
given  them  at  this  time  just  as  he  omits  the  Sermon  on 
the  Mount. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  "The  only  religion  that  can 
do  anything  for  me  is  the  religion  that  makes  me  want  to 
do  something  for  you.  The  missionary  enterprise  is  not 
the  Church's  afterthought.  It  is  Christ's  forethought. 
It  is  primal  and  vital." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  6:12,  13.    THE  APOSTLES  AT  WORK. 

The  apostles  were  not  advocates,  they  were  witnesses. 
What  did  they  do  in  obedience  to  the  command  ? 


What  success  did  they  have  ?    See  Luke  9 :6. 


What  does  the  first  part  of  Mark  6:14  show  about  the 
measure  of  their  fame? 


Do  you  imagine  that  they  were  able  to  do  these  things 
because  Jesus  told  them  to? 

How  is  it  to-day ;  does  His  command  enable  us  to  do 
what  He  commands? 


Anointed  with  oil,  v.  12.  "  Anointing  the  sick  with  oil 
has  always  been  a  favorite  remedy  in  the  East.  And  in  the 
hot  climate  it  serves  certain  purposes  not  thought  neces- 
sary in  colder  regions." 

Memorize  Rom.  1:16. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS   FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


FOURTH  DAY:   MARK  6:14-16.    HEROD. 

King  Herod,  v.  14.  He  was  not  a  king,  in  the  sense 
in  which  the  word  is  ordinarily  used,  but  was  the  ruler 
of  a  fourth  part  of  the  country  ruled  by  his  father,  Herod 
the  Great,  that  is,  over  Galilee  and  Perea. 

"  The  country  was  completely  under  the  mighty  Roman 
power,  which  had  extended  its  sway  over  the  whole 
civilized  world.  It  was  divided  into  several  small  por- 
tions, which  the  foreigners  held  under  different  tenures, 
as  the  English  at  present  hold  India.  Galilee  and  Perea 
were  ruled  by  petty  kings,  sons  of  that  Herod  under  whom 
Jesus  was  born,  who  occupied  a  relation  to  the  Roman 
Emperor  similar  to  that  which  the  subject  Indian  kings 
hold  to  the  Queen." 

What  was  it  Herod  heard  ?    V.  14. 


What  made  him  think  John  had  risen  from  the  grave  ? 

Who  was  meant  by  "  it  "  in  v.  15? 
What  made  them  think  it  was  Elijah? 

Why  would  they  think  it  was  a  prophet  ? 

What  was  it  that  was  troubling  Herod  ?    Compare  vs. 
16  and  20. 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  It  is  John,  whom  I  be- 
headed." Not  simply  "  It  is  John."  What  was  it, 
Herod,  that  made  you  think  of  the  beheading,  while 
others  thought  of  John  ?  How  was  it  that  when  you  heard 
of  Jesus  you  thought  of  this  man  whom  you  had  be- 
headed? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  6:17-29.    JOHN'S  MURDER. 
Who  had  killed  John?    V.  16. 
How  do  you  reconcile  this  statement  with  that  in  v.  20? 

What  did  Herod  think  of  John? 


What  is  the  meaning  of  the  expression,  "When  he 
heard  him  he  was  much  perplexed?"    V.  20. 


Have  you  ever  heard  things  that  have  caused  this  state 
of  mind  in  you  ? 

From  v.  20  what  kind  of  a  man  would  you  say  John 
was? 


Why  did  Herodias  hate  John? 


A  birthday  supper,  v.  21.  This  would  not  be  favored 
by  the  Jews,  but  Herod  imitated  the  Roman  Emperors. 
Would  you  rather  be  upstairs  with  Herod,  or  downstairs 
with  John? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  The  Revised  Version  has  in 
the  margin  "  He  did  many  things,"  instead  of  "  He  was 
much  perplexed,"  v.  20.  But  he  did  not  do  the  one  thing. 
How  easy  it  is  sometimes  to  act  as  Herod  did ;  how  hard 
to  do  the  one  thing!  Having  found  the  one  thing  I  lack, 
help  me,  O  Master,  to  do  it ;  may  I  not  try  to  smother 
my  conscience  in  a  multitude  of  duties. 
61 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MARK  6:17-29.    JOHN'S  MURDER  (Con- 
tinued). 

Did  Herod  want  to  kill  John?    V.  26. 

Tell  the  story  of  how  he  happened  to  do  it? 


She  pleased  Herod,  v.  22.  "  The  man  who  surren- 
ders himself  to  his  sensuous  nature  lets  the  horses  get 
the  bit  between  their  teeth  and  is  sure  to  come  to  grief." 
See  what  Paul  did,  I  Cor.  9 126,  27. 

See  also  the  effect  of  being  in  the  hands  of  a  wicked 
woman. 

Notice  in  v.  25,  "  straightway,"  "  with  haste,"  "  forth- 
with," why  all  this  hurry  ? 


If  Herod  knew  it  was  wrong  to  kill  John,  why  did  he 
doit? 


Are  there  any  Herods  in  your  school  or  among  your 
friends  ? 

What  did  John's  disciples  do?    See  also  Matt.  14  :ia. 


John's  epitaph  might  be,  "Here  lies  one  who  never 
feared  the  face  of  man." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINTH  WEEK.     HIS  FRIENDS  AND  HIS 
ENEMIES. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  6:1-29. 
Where  was  Jesus  now? 

Write  opposite  these  references  the  events  referred  to: 
6:1-3. 

4-6. 
7-1 1. 

12,  13. 
14-16. 

17-29. 

"  I  trust  I  have  not  wasted  breath : 
I  think  we  are  not  wholly  brain, 
Magnetic  mockeries ;  not  in  vain, 
Like  Paul  with  beasts,  I  fought  with  death. 

"  Not  only  cunning  casts  in  clay : 

Let  Science  prove  we  are,  and  then 
What  matters  Science  unto  men, 
At  least  to  me  ?    I  would  not  stay. 

"  Let  him  the  wiser  man  who  springs 
Hereafter,  up  from  childhood  shape 
His  actions  like  the  greater  ape, 
But  I  was  born  to  higher  things." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,   WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  6:30-33.    THE  FIRST  MISSIONARY 
CONFERENCE. 

Where  did  they  go  now  ? 

This  portion  of  His  ministry  is  characterized  by  certain 
journeys  of  flight.  This  is  the  first  one. 

Why  did  Jesus  go  to  the  other  side  of  the  lake?  See 
Matt.  14:13;  Mark  6:31. 


Into  what  kind  of  a  place  did  they  go  ? 

Where  had  the  disciples  been  ?    V.  7. 

From  what  were  they  trying  to  escape?    V.  31. 

What  did  the  people  do? 

How  did  Jesus  take  the  interruption?    See  Luke  9:11. 


Compare  Mark  4:38,  John  4:6,  and  Mark  6:31,  and 
state  what  these  verses  show  about  the  humanity  of  Jesus. 


Memorize  Psalm  23.     The  tenth  chapter  of  John  has 
been  called  the  Shepherd  Chapter. 


64 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,  WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


SECOND  DAY  :  MARK  6 134-44.    HE  FEEDS  MORE  THAN 
FIVE  THOUSAND. 

This  is  the  only  miracle  recorded  by  all  four  gospels; 
is  there  any  reason  for  this  ? 

At  what  time  of  the  day  was  it? 

The  presence  of  Jesus  will  turn  a  wilderness  into  para- 
dise. 
About  how  many  were  there  ? 

When  Jesus  saw  the  people  how  did  the  sight  affect 
Him?  V.  34. 

How  did  it  affect  the  disciples?    See  Matt.  14:15. 

How  often  is  it  true  that  this  is  the  way  we  treat  those 
in  need  when  the  Master  welcomes  them.  See  Matt. 
15:23;  Mark  10:13,  14. 

What  reason  can  you  give  for  His  refusal  to  make  bread, 
in  Matt.  4:3,  4,  and  His  willingness  here? 

Mark  makes  his  account  vivid  by  noticing  the  gestures 
and  movements  of  Jesus;  as  in  Mark  6:41.  See  also 
3:5»34;  5:30-32;  7:34;  10:23;  n:ii. 

"  The  restless  millions  wait 

The  light  whose  dawning  maketh  all  things  new : 
Christ  also  waits,  but  men  are  slow  and  late. 
Have  we  done  all  we  could  ?    Have  I  ?    Have  you  ? 
A  cloud  of  witnesses  above  encompass, 
We  love  to  think  of  all  they  see  and  know ; 
But  what  of  this  great  multitude  in  peril, 
Who  sadly  wait  below  ? 
Oh,  let  this  thrilling  vision  daily  move  us 
To  earnest  prayer  and  deeds  before  unknown, 
That  souls  redeemed  from  many  lands  may  join  us, 
When  Christ  brings  home  His  own." 
65 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,  WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  6:34-44.    HE  FEEDS  MORE  THAN 
FIVE  THOUSAND  (Continued). 

"  If  I  feed  a  destitute  crowd  in  Galilee,  it  is  because 
I  myself  experienced  destitution  at  the  well  of  Jacob." 
Write  out  the  story  of  vs.  35-42. 


How  did  it  happen  that  there  was  such  a  crowd  there? 
John  6  '.4. 


Before  breaking  the  bread  what  did  Jesus  do  ?    Mark 
6:41. 


Are  the  suppers  which  you  attend  like  the  one  in  v.  21, 
or  in  v.  41  ? 

In  what  respect  is  this  miracle  an  argument  for  foreign 
missions  ? 


Give  ye  them  to  eat,  v.  37.    Duty  is  not  measured  by 
ability. 
How  much  did  each  of  the  five  thousand  get?    V.  42. 

How  much  did  each  disciple  ?   V.  43. 
Does  this  illustrate  Acts  20:35? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,  WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


FOURTH  DAY:  MARK  6:45,  46.    PRAYING. 

"  The  picture  given  is  a  beautiful  one.  The  disciples 
leave  the  shore  in  their  boat  to  row  across  the  lake ;  the 
crowds  gradually  disperse,  returning  on  foot,  for  the  most 
part,  across  the  plain  to  regain  the  western  shore  by  going 
round  the  north  margin  of  the  lake.  Jesus  retires  to  the 
high  ground  to  spend  the  calm  eastern  night  in  solitary 
communion  with  His  Father  in  lonely  prayer  for  the  dis- 
ciples on  the  sea  and  the  crowds  on  the  land.  He  who 
had  constant  communion  with  the  Father  even  in  the  most 
crowded  throng,  was  yet  so  much  man  that  He  yearned 
for  silent  prayer  and  lonely  fellowship.  He  who  was  in- 
capable of  distraction  went  aside  to  pray." 

What  did  the  disciples  want  to  do  with  the  people  ?  V. 
36. 


:Who  really  went  away  first? 


What  did  Jesus  do  when  He  was  alone  after  the  people 
went  away  ? 


What  effect  did  this  miracle  have  upon  the  people? 
John  6: 14,  15. 


How  did  it  affect  the  disciples  ?    Mark  6 152. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH  WEEK.     RESTING,  WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  6 147-52.    WALKING  ON  THE  WATER. 

Fourth  Watch,  v.  48.  "  The  proper  Jewish  reckoning 
recognized  only  three  watches :  ( i )  The  first  or  beginning 
of  the  watches  from  sunset  to  10  P.M.  (Lam.  2:19) ;  (2) 
the  middle  watches,  from  10  P.M.  to  2  A.M.  (Judg.  7:19)  ; 
(3)  the  morning  watch,  from  2  A.M.  to  sunrise  (Ex. 
14:24;  i  Sam.  ii  :n).  After  the  Roman  supremacy  the 
number  was  increased  to  four,  sometimes  called  first, 
second,  etc.,  as  here;  sometimes  by  the  terms  even-*,  clos- 
ing at  9  P.M.  ;  midnight;  cock-crowing,  at  3  A.M.  ;  morn- 
ing, at  6  A.M." 

Who  had  persuaded  the  disciples  to  go  into  the  boat? 

What  was  their  condition  and  how  long  had  it  been  so  ? 
Does  God  put  His  children  into  places  of  danger  ? 

Why  do  you  suppose  He  would  have  passed  them  by  ? 
Compare  Luke  24:28. 

What  does  v.  52  mean  ? 

Why  does  Mark  omit  the  story  of  Peter's  effort  to  walk 
on  the  water,  although  Matthew  gave  it? 

"  So  I  am  watching  quietly  every  day, 
Whenever  the  sun  shines  brightly  I  rise  and  say, 
Surely  it  is  the  shining  of  His  face — 
And  look  unto  the  gates  of  His  high  place 

Beyond  the  sea; 
For  I  know  He  is  coming  shortly 

To  summon  me. 
And  when  the  shadow  falls  across  the  windows 

Of  the  room 

Where  I  am  working  my  appointed  task, 
I  lift  my  head  and  watch  the  door,  and  ask 

If  He  is  come — 

And  the  angel  answers  sweetly,  in  my  home — 
Only  a  few  more  shadows  and  He  will  come." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,   WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


SIXTH   DAY:    MARK  6:53-56.     GREAT  CROWDS   SEEK 
HIM. 

Gennesaret,  v.  53.  "  A  crescent-shaped  plain  on  the 
northwest  shore  of  the  lake,  about  two  miles  and  one- 
half  in  length  and  about  one  in  breadth."  Locate  it  on 
the  map. 

What  did  the  people  do? 


What  led  them  to  act  in  this  way? 


Why  do  you  suppose  they  thought  they  would  be  healed 
by  touching  His  clothes? 


John  tells  us  that  Jesus  spoke  to  the  people  and  showed 
them  that  He  came  not  to  supply  bodily  wants,  but  to  be 
the  bread  of  life.  (John  6:52-59.)  This  caused  many 
disciples  who  had  been  looking  for  an  earthly  kingdom 
to  desert  Him,  so  that  He  said  pathetically  to  the  twelve 
chosen  ones,  "  Would  ye  also  go  away  ?  " 

PRAYER  :  "  O  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  hast 
taken  thought  for  us  in  the  night  watches,  bless  us  also 
in  the  opportunities  of  this  new  day.  Help  us  with  willing 
hearts  to  spend  its  moments  in  Thy  service.  In  coming 
and  in  going,  in  labor  and  in  rest,  in  care  and  pleasure, 
grant  us  Thy  companionship  for  sympathy  and  aid.  If 
the  day  in  its  unvarying  course  brings  no  changes,  through 
the  still  hours  may  the  sunlight  of  Thy  presence  glow. 
Help  us  to  bear  true  witness  in  simplicity  of  heart  to  find 
our  joy  in  little  things,  to  help  men  toward  the  Christ- 
like  life  in  kindly  service,  and  to  cherish  high  ambitions 
of  obedience  to  our  Lord.  So  crown  our  days  with 
strength  and  peace,  O  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy 
Son.  Amen." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TENTH   WEEK.     RESTING,  WORKING, 
PRAYING. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  6:1-56.    FRIENDS  AND  ENEMIES. 

Trace  on  the  outline  map  the  journeys  of  Jesus  as  re- 
corded in  this  chapter. 

What  is  said  in  the  chapter  about  the  feeling  of  dif- 
ferent ones  toward  Him?    Vs.  2,  3,  15,  16,  50,  51,  56. 


What  is  said  about  Jesus's  opinion  of  others  ?  Vs.  4,  6, 
31,  34,  46,  48,  50. 


Who  would  you  say  received  the  greatest  blessing  in 
the  feeding  of  the  five  thousand — Jesus,  the  crowd,  or  the 
disciples?  Why? 


The  loaves  and  fishes  belonged  to  a  little  boy  and  were 
all  he  had.  (John  6:9.)  But  he  gave  his  all  to  Jesus, 
and  received  a  blessing.  It  was  so  with  the  widow  who 
"  cast  in  all  her  living  " — two  mites.  Is  it  so  to-day? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  That  the  period  immediately 
after  rising  should  be  scrupulously  consecrated  to  God ; 
that  the  earliest  thoughts  of  tfie  day  should  be  filled  with 
God;  that  the  homage  of  self-dedication  should  be  re- 
newed before  starting  on  another  pilgrimage;  that  we 
should  listen  to  His  small  voice  of  warning  or  encourage- 
ment as  it  issues  from  His  written  word,  or  from  the 
inner  consciousness,  or  from  the  outer  world — all  this  is 
so  essentially  bound  up  with  the  peace  and  holiness  of 
the  day  that  one  might  almost  say  that  the  two  are  in- 
separable." 

70 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH   WEEK.    DRIVEN   OUT   OF  GALI- 
LEE. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  7:1-4.    THE  PHARISEES. 
What  were  the  Pharisees  ? 
Where  were  Jesus  and  His  disciples  now?    John  6:24. 

Mark  explains  the  meaning  of  "  defiled  hands,"  v.  2. 
See  a  similar  explanation  in  v.  n  and  in  12:18.  What 
does  this  indicate  about  the  people  for  whom  he  wrote  ? 

Tradition  of  the  Elders,  v.  3.  "  The  unwritten  law, 
which  they  said  God  delivered  orally  to  Moses,  who  trans- 
mitted it  orally  to  the  elders."  The  elders  were  the  lead- 
ing Jewish  teachers. 

What  were  they  trying  to  do  by  all  this  washing? 


Why  should  they  wash  on  coming  from  the  market 
place? 

Have  you  ever  been  content  with  mere  external  ap- 
pearances ? 

PRAYER  :  "  O  Lord,  who  hast  given  us  these  treasures 
of  earth's  strength  and  opportunity  in  earthen  vessels 
that  we  might  learn  the  need  of  trust  in  Thee,  help  us  so 
to  use  and  cherish  our  frail  bodies  that  they  may  be  most 
effective  for  the  work  which  Thou  hast  given  us  to  do. 
Pardon  our  transgressions  and  shortcomings.  Make  us 
strong  to  labor,  patient  for  endurance,  filled,  as  becometh 
temples  of  Thy  Spirit,  with  all  purity,  girded  and  ready 
for  all  service.  Preserve  us  from  the  shame  and  folly 
of  idleness  and  from  the  temptations  to  presumptuous 
overwork  for  merely  earthly  gains.  And  when  these 
earthen  vessels  of  our  sense  and  strength  are  broken,  re- 
ceive our  spirits.  Amen." 


71 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH  WEEK.    DRIVEN  OUT   OF   GALI- 
LEE. 


SECOND  DAY:   MARK  7:5-13.    PHARISEES  ACCUSE  THE 
DISCIPLES. 

What  was  the  Pharisees'  charge  against  the  disciples? 

What  did  Jesus  call  the  Pharisees? 

What  does  "  hypocrite  "  mean? 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  His  quotation  from  Isaiah  ? 

How  long  before  Christ  did  Isaiah  write  these  words? 

Vs.  11-13.  "  If  a  man  shall  say  to  his  mother  or  father 
when  one  of  them  applies  to  him  for  assistance,  '  That 
which  would  have  helped  you  I  have  given  to  God,  and, 
therefore,  I  cannot  take  it  back  and  use  it  for  you/  you 
thus  enable  a  man  by  following  tradition  to  avoid  help- 
ing his  parents,  and  God's  own  word  is  rendered  idle." 

"  The  parish  priest  of  austerity, 

Climbed  up  in  the  high  church  steeple, 
To  be  nearer  God,  so  that  he  might 

Hand  down  his  word  to  the  people. 
And  in  sermon  script  he  daily  wrote 

What  he  thought  was  sent  from  heaven ; 
And  he  dropped  it  down  on  the  people's  heads 

Two  times  one  day  in  seven. 
In  his  age  God  said,  '  Come  down  and  die; ' 

And  he  cried  out  from  the  steeple, 
'  Where  art  thou,  Lord  ?  '  and  the  Lord  replied, 
'  Down  here  among  my  people.'  " 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH   WEEK.    DRIVEN   OUT   OF  GALI- 
LEE. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  7:14,  15.    REAL  DEFILEMENT. 
To  whom  had  He  been  speaking  in  vs.  6-13? 

Whom  does  He  address  now? 

What  reason  is  there  for  the  change? 

What  does  He  mean  by  v.  15  ? 


"  Whatever  weakens  your  reason, 

Impairs  the  tenderness  of  your  conscience, 

Obscures  your  sense  of  God, 

Takes  off  the  relish  for  spiritual  things; 

Whatever  increases  the  authority 

Of  your  body  over  your  mind — 

That  thing  is  sin  to  you, 

However  innocent  it  may  be  in  itself." 

Notice  the  omission  in  the  Revised  Version  of  v.  16 
and  see  marginal  note.  Our  Authorized  Version,  called 
also  the  King  James  Version,  which  was  itself  a  revision 
of  the  existing  Bibles,  was  translated  in  1611.  The  Re- 
vised Version  of  the  New  Testament  was  published  in 
May,  1 88 1.  At  this  later  date  scholars  had  access  to  a 
great  many  more  manuscripts  than  in  1611,  including  the 
three  oldest  and  best. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH  WEEK.    DRIVEN   OUT   OF  GALI- 
LEE. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  7:17-23.    REAL  DEFILEMENT. 

"  By  no  political  alchemy  can  we  get  golden  conduct 
out  of  leaden  instincts." 

What  was  the  Jewish  idea  of  clean  and  unclean  meats  ? 


What  do  vs.  17  and  18  show  as  to  the  disciples'  under- 
standing of  Jesus? 


Where  did  Jesus  say  evil  originates?    Compare  Matt. 
5:27,28. 


Judged  by  this  standard  have  you  broken  this  com- 
mandment ? 


Jesus  put  His  hand  on  the  source  of  evil — the  heart. 
We  see  the  outside,  He  sees  the  inside.  As  sweet  water 
cannot  come  from  a  bitter  spring,  so  clean  thoughts  can- 
not come  from  an  impure  heart.  It  is  the  thoughts  of  our 
hearts  that  we  need  to  watch ;  it  is  the  vile  pictures  that 
form  themselves  in  our  imagination  that  we  must  guard 
against.  How  ashamed  we  would  be  if  our  friends  and 
companions  could  see  the  images  that  we  create  in  our 
hearts.  God  sees  them. 

Memorize  Psalm  19:14. 


74 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH   WEEK.    DRIVEN   OUT   OF  GALI- 
LEE. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  7  -.24.    BEGINNING  OF  SECOND  JOUR- 
NEY OF  FLIGHT. 

Locate  Tyre  and  Sidon  on  the  map. 
This  is  the  second  journey  of  flight.     See  how  it  dif- 
fers from  the  preaching  tours  mentioned  in  1 139,  6 :6,  et  al. 


.What  caused  Him  to  withdraw  at  this  time  ? 

Why  "  would  have  no  man  know  it?" 

What  was  the  result  of  His  effort  to  remain  hidden? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  From  the  beginning  to  the  end 
of  His  life  He  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men  (Isaiah 
53 :3)-  There  was  no  room  for  Him  in  the  inn  (Luke 
2:7).  No  room  for  Him  among  His  own  (John  1:12). 
And  now  they  drive  Him  out  of  Galilee.  "  Behold  I  stand 
at  the  door  and  knock"  (Rev.  3:20).  Shall  we  not 
open  and  bid  Him  welcome  into  our  hearts  ? 

"  Room  for  pleasure,  room  for  business, 

But  for  Christ  the  crucified, 
Not  a  place  that  He  can  enter 

In  your  heart  for  which  He  died." 


75 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH   WEEK.    DRIVEN   OUT   OF   GALI- 
LEE. 


SIXTH  DAY  :  MARK  7 125-30.    IN  TYRE  AND  SIDON. 

How  do  you  suppose  this  woman  had  heard  of  Him? 
See  Mark  3 :8. 


A  Syro Phoenician,  v.  26.    A  Phoenician  living  in  Syria. 
A  Greek,  v.  26.    A  Gentile,  not  a  Jew. 
What  did  the  disciples  want  to  do  with  her?    Matt. 
15:23-  , 


What  did  Jesus  mean  by  v.  27? 


Why  did  the  words  of  the  woman  in  v.  28  please  Jesus 
so  much?    Compare  Matt.  15:28. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

ELEVENTH  WEEK.     DRIVEN  OUT  OF  GALI- 
LEE. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   MARK  7:31.    HE  AVOIDS  GALILEE. 

Read  also  Matt.  15 129-31. 

Locate  Decapolis  on  the  map. 

Trace  this  journey  from  Tyre  to  the  borders  of  De- 
capolis and  notice  that  He  avoided  Galilee.  Why  was 
this? 


What  does  Matthew  tell  us  happened  here? 
What  does  the  last  part  of  Matt.  15 131  mean? 
What  have  you  done  this  past  week  to  glorify  God  ? 


What  does  Paul  want  his  hearers  to  do  when  he  says, 
"  that  they  may  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
in  all  things  ?"  Tit.  2:10. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  7:32-37.    HE  CURES  A  DEAF  AND 
DUMB  MAN. 

Where  was  Jesus  now  ? 
What  did  Jesus  do? 

Why  did  Jesus  do  the  things  mentioned  in  v.  33? 


Ephphatha,  v.  34.     Helps  us  to  know  what  language 
Jesus  spoke :  this  word  is  Aramaic. 
Why  the  sigh?    V.  34. 

Notice  that  He  looked  up  to  Heaven. 
Compare  in  2  Kings  4:34  a  similar  method  to  the  one 
employed  here. 

Wouldn't  this  be  a  good  method  in  our  Christian  work? 

Do  you  try  to  get  close  to  those  whom  you  wish  to 
win  to  God? 


When  Jesus  was  in  this  region  before,  what  had  He 
said  to  the  man  He  cured?    Mark  5 :ig. 


Had  the  man  obeyed?    Mark8:i. 

What  effect  did  the  miracle  have  upon  the  people? 


Have  you  a  tongue  that  Jesus  might  cause  to  "  speak 
plain  "  for  Him  ? 

Read  the  Tongue  chapter,  James  3. 
78 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 


SECOND  DAY  :  MARK  8:1-9.    HE  FEEDS  FOUR  THOUSAND. 
How  long  had  the  people  been  with  Jesus? 


From  Mark  3:5,  6:6,  7:34,  8:2,  10:14,  and  10:21,  write 
down  the  human  elements  mentioned. 


Mention  the  points  in  which  this  miracle  differs  from 
the  feeding  of  the  five  thousand. 


What  was  the  result  to  the  four  thousand  of  being  with 
Jesus  ? 


If  we  stay  with  Him  to-day  He  will  fill  us. 
Memorize  Rev.  22:17. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 


THIRD  DAY:    MARK  7:24-8:9.     THE  SECOND  JOURNEY 
OF  FLIGHT. 

Read  these  verses  and  trace  this  journey  on  the  outline 
map. 

Where  did  it  begin? 

What  sections  of  the  country  and  what  towns  are  men- 
tioned ? 


How  does  this  illustrate  John  I  :i2? 


What  was  His  own  feeling  toward  the  people  during 
this  time? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  The  loneliness  of  Jesus  in  the 
great  world  which  He  came  to  save  appeals  to  me  to- 
day ;  the  solitude  in  which  He  lived  even  when  surrounded 
by  crowds.  And  even  to-day  in  the  busy  world  He  must 
often  be  alone.  "  Thou  art  all  alone.  Bid  me  come  to 
Thee,  O  Lord !  I  have  followed  Thee  in  joy,  I  have  been 
with  Thee  when  the  multitude  thronged  and  pressed.  I 
have  heard  Thy  voice  in  majesty  on  the  Mount.  I  have 
seen  Thy  hand  of  beneficence  break  bread  in  the  desert, 
whenever  I  have  been  in  want.  I  have  sought  Thee."  In 
Thy  loneliness  bid  me  come  to  Thee. 


80 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 


FOURTH  DAY:  MARK  8:10.    IN  DALMANUTHA. 
Where  was  Dalmanutha? 


Notice  how  often  the  sea  of  Galilee  has  been  the  scene 
of  His  life  so  far. 

He  often  retired  in  this  way  to  be  with  His  disciples, 
that  He  might  train  and  teach  them,  the  future  apostles. 
What  were  they  to  do  ?    3 114,  6  7,  8. 


What  leads  us  to  think  they  were  not  apt  scholars? 


Are  you  in  the  habit  of  being  alone  with  Jesus  every 
day? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  The  subject  was  '  What  in 
my  life  has  helped  me  most  toward  Jesus  Christ '  ?  One 
man  rose  and  said:  'The  one  thing  which  has  helped 
me  most  in  my  Christian  experience  is  this:  for  many 
years  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  getting  up  half  an  hour 
earlier  than  necessary  in  order  that  I  might  spend  that 
half  hour  in  prayer  and  reading  God's  word  and  in  medi- 
tation.' That  man  is  a  car  conductor  and  is  obliged  to 
rise  every  morning  at  three  o'clock,  and  in  order  to  spend 
a  little  time  with  God  he  gets  up  at  half  past  two.  I  went 
home  feeling  that  I  was  not  fit  to  preach  to  that  man," 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 

FIFTH  DAY:    MARK  8:11-13.     THE  PHARISEES  TEMPT 
HIM. 

With  what  intent  did  the  Pharisees  ask  Him  questions  ? 
What  does  it  mean  to  tempt  Jesus? 


With  which  of  the  three  temptations   (Matt.  4:3-6) 
does  this  scene  correspond? 


Have  you  ever  asked  for  a  sign?    See  the  answer  to 
such  a  question  that  came  to  Zacharias.    Luke  i :  18-20. 


Notice  how  short  a  visit  this  was ;  and  that  here  be- 
gins the  third  journey  of  flight.  8:13. 

PRAYER:  "O  God,  our  Father,  whose  will  it  is  that 
none  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  live,  enable  us  so 
to  use  Thy  gift  of  freedom  that  it  shall  prepare  us  for 
the  eternal  life  of  holiness  with  Thee.  When  in  the  temp- 
tations of  the  world  we  are  sifted  as  wheat,  grant  us  that 
our  faith  fail  not.  When  we  are  in  peril  from  the  lusts 
that  war  against  the  soul,  be  Thou  our  guard.  For  Thine 
own  pity  and  for  the  love  of  those  who  need  us  and  who 
suffer  when  we  fall,  preserve  us  in  the  hour  of  weakness. 
For  the  love  wherewith  Christ  loved  us  grant  us  the  fel- 
lowship of  His  Spirit  when  we  are  tried  in  the  likeness 
of  His  temptations.  And  Thou  who  hast  helped  us  to  the 
victory  of  faith  shalt  receive  our  grateful  service  ever- 
more through  Christ  who  for  our  redemption  was  tempted 
and  overcame.  Amen." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 

SIXTH  DAY  :  READ  ISAIAH  53. 
Into  what  five  parts  did  we  divide  the  life  of  Jesus  ? 


What  was  each  of  the  three  years  of  His  public  ministry 
called? 


Mention  the  principal  events  of  the  Judean  ministry? 

Why  is  it  called  the  period  of  obscurity? 
How  does  it  differ  from  the  Galilean  ministry? 
Upon  what  part  of  the  life  of  Jesus  does  Mark  dwell  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWELFTH  WEEK.     JOURNEYS  OF  FLIGHT. 


SEVENTH  DAY  :  READ  ROMANS  8. 
When  His  work  increased  what  did  He  do  for  helpers  ? 

What  kind  of  men  did  He  select? 


What  new  mode  of  conveying  truth  did  He  adopt  soon 
after? 


What  was  the  effect  of  His  miracles  upon  the  crowd? 
Upon  those  who  were  healed? 


Why  do  we  think  that  the  feeding  of  the  five  thousand 
was  a  crisis  in  His  career? 


What  did  He  do  as  soon  as  He  had  sent  the  five  thou- 
sand away? 


Why  did  He  leave  Judea? 

What  caused  Him  to  leave  Galilee? 
$4 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  8:14-21.    A  LESSON  IN  FAITH. 
How  long  had  these  men  been  with  Him  now? 


Tell  in  your  own  words  what  Jesus  said  to  them  in  vs. 
17,  18. 


What  did  they  think  He  meant? 

Why  did  He  mention  Pharisees  and  Herod? 

What  use  does  Jesus  here  make  of  His  miracles? 
What  lesson  does  He  try  to  teach  them? 
What  lesson  is  here  for  us? 
What  did  He  mean  by  His  question  ?    V.  21. 
How  would  you  answer  it  ? 


"  The  heart  that  trusts  forever  sings, 
And  feels  as  light  as  it  had  wings; 
A  well  of  peace  within  it  springs ; 

Come  good  or  ill, 
Whate'er  to-day,  to-morrow  brings, 

It  is  His  will." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


SECOND  DAY  :  MARK  8 122-26.    HE  HEALS  A  BLIND  MAN. 
Where  was  this  miracle  performed? 


Notice  the  details  in  v.  23,  "  took  hold,"  "  by  the  hand," 
"  brought  him  out,"  "  laid  His  hand  on  him."  This  is 
characteristic  of  Mark.  See  the  same  thing  in  1 113,  35, 
2:2,  4,  23,  4:36,  38,  5:4,  6:39,  40. 

How  does  the  method  of  this  cure  differ  from  most  of 
the  others  ? 


Notice  how  much  more  vivid  v.  24  is  in  the  Revised 
Version  than  in  the  Authorized  Version. 

What  did  Jesus  say  to  the  man  after  He  was  healed  ? 


Why  was  this  ? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  I  ought  not  to  expect  to  see 
everything  at  the  beginning  of  my  Christian  life  as  clearly 
as  I  shall  see  it  later.  Paul  had  to  go  away  into  solitude 
for  three  years  while  God  was  revealing  Himself  fully 
to  him.  Help  me,  my  Heavenly  Father,  to  patiently  await 
Thy  good  time  for  letting  me  see  all  things  clearly.  If 
now  I  see  in  a  mirror  darkly,  hasten  the  glad  day  when  I 
shall  see  face  to  face ;  if  now  I  know  in  part,  let  me  some 
day  know  even  as  I  have  been  known.  May  I  live  in  the 
radiance  of  Thy  presence,  Thou  blessed  Christ. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


THIRD  DAY  :   MARK  8  -.27-30.    THE  GREAT  CONFESSION. 

Locate  Csesarea  Philippi  on  the  map. 
What  question  did  Jesus  ask  His  disciples? 


Did  He  not  know  what  people  thought  of  Him  ? 
Why  would  some  say  John  the  Baptist? 

Why  Elijah? 

Why  one  of  the  prophets? 


Why  would  He  expect  a  different  opinion  from  His 
disciples  ? 

Was  there  something  pitiful  in  His  voice  as  He  asked 
the  question  of  v.  29? 

Have  you  a  different  opinion  of  Him  than  the  people 
of  those  days? 

What  was  Peter's  answer?  It  has  been  called  The  First 
Apostle's  Creed.  Compare  the  three  accounts,  Mark, 
Matt.  16:16,  Luke  9:20,  and  write  it  out. 


Why  the  words  in  v.  30? 

Who  do  you  say  the  Son  of  Man  is  ? 

Memorize  I  Peter  3:15. 

87 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


FOURTH  DAY  :  MARK  8 131.    HE  ANNOUNCES  His  DEATH. 

As  soon  as  they  recognize  His  Messiahship  He  begins 
to  teach  them  that  He  must  suffer  and  die. 

Compare  this  first  clear  announcement  with  former  in- 
timations of  His  coming  death,  in  the  following  order: 
John  2:19,  3:14;  Mark  2:20;  Matt.  10:38;  John  6:51, 
and  see  how  it  was  ever  on  His  mind. 


What  had  they  just  called  Him? 

What  does  He  tell  them  the  Son  of  God  is  to  do? 

Mention  the  four  things  He  specifies  in  this  verse. 


PRAYER:  "Almighty  God,  who  canst  give  the  light 
that  in  darkness  shall  make  us  glad,  the  light  that  in 
gloom  shall  give  us  joy,  and  the  peace  that  amidst  dis- 
cord shall  bring  us  quietness,  let  us  live  this  day  in  that 
light,  that  life,  that  peace,  so  that  we  may  gain  the  victory 
over  those  things  that  press  us  down  and  over  the  flesh 
that  so  often  encumbers  us  and  over  death  that  seemeth 
for  the  moment  to  win  the  victory.  Thus  we  being  filled 
with  inward  peace  and  light  and  life,  may  walk  all  the 
days  of  this  our  mortal  life  doing  our  work  as  the  business 
of  our  Father,  glorifying  it  because  it  is  Thy  will,  know- 
ing that  what  Thou  givest,  Thou  givest  in  love.  Bestow 
upon  us  the  greatest  and  last  blessing  that  we,  being  in 
Thy  presence,  may  be  like  unto  Thee  forever  more.  These 
things  do  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  8 132,  33.    HE  REBUKES  PETER. 

Christ's  motto,  "  Deny  thyself."    V.  31. 
Satan's  motto,  "  Spare  thyself."    V.  32. 
Which  shall  if  be? 

This  is  the  first  clear  prediction  of  His  death.    Notice 
the  time  in  His  life  when  it  was  made. 

How  did  this  announcement  affect  Peter,  and  why? 


Openly,  v.  32.     Plainly.     He  had  intimated  it  many 
times.    See  John  2:19;  3:14;   Mark  2:20. 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  calling  Peter  "  Satan  "? 


What  did  Peter  mean  by  his  words? 

Are  there  any  people  who  say  the  same  thing  to-day? 


Can  you  remember  any  time  when  He  might  have  called 
you  by  this  name? 


What  does  the  last  part  of  v.  33  mean? 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


SIXTH  DAY:  MARK  8:34-9:1.    REAL  LIFE. 

A  missionary  in  Africa  wrote :  "  Lost  lives !  as  the 
words  re-echo  I  see  the  Saints  of  God,  who  of  old,  de- 
claring plainly  that  they  seek  a  country,  have  cheerfully 
gone  forth  on  pilgrimage  not  knowing  whither  they  went ! 
Abraham  is  among  them,  Paul  is  among  them,  and  the 
heroes  of  our  Century  of  Missions.  Livingstone  is  there, 
Krapf  is  there,  and  William  Carey;  Allan  Gardiner, 
starved  to  death  on  the  desolate  Fuegian  shore;  James 
Gilmour,  tramping  with  bleeding  feet  the  frozen  Mongo- 
lian uplands ;  Graham  Brooke,  dying  alone  on  the  Upper 
Niger;  John  McKitterich,  sleeping  in  the  first  white 
man's  grave  in  distant  Lololand — they  are  all  there,  all 
part  of  the  eternal.  And  Jesus's  life  is  there." 

What  does  Jesus  say  the  man  must  do  who  wants  to  fol- 
low Him? 

What  kind  of  a  life  would  the  principle  of  v.  34  require 
me  to  live  to-day  ? 


What  does  He  mean  by  v.  35  ? 

What  is  the  answer  to  v.  36? 

What  answer  would  you  honestly  give  to  v.  37  ? 

What  is  it  to  be  ashamed  of  Jesus? 

What  is  it  to  have  Jesus  ashamed  of  us? 


"  Measure  thy  life  by  loss  instead  of  gain, 
Not  by  the  wine  drunk,  but  by  the  wine  poured  forth 
For  life's  strength  standeth  in  life's  sacrifice, 
And  who  gives  the  most  has  most  to  give." 
90 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

THIRTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  AND 
HEALING. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  8:10-9:1. 

Notice  that  in  the  Revised  Version  9:1  is  rightly  con- 
sidered a  part  of  the  eighth  chapter.  See  the  same  thing 
in  Gal.  5  :i ;  I  Cor.  n  :i.  The  original  manuscripts  were 
not  divided  into  verses  and  chapters.  The  present  ar- 
rangement of  chapters  was  made  by  Cardinal  Hugo  in 
1250.  The  present  division  into  verses  was  made  by  Rob- 
ert Stevens  in  1551,  it  is  said,  as  he  was  riding  on  horse- 
back. Notice  that  the  Revised  Version  is  arranged  in 
paragraphs  rather  than  verses,  the  sense  being  the  basis 
of  division  and  not  the  mere  desire  to  break  up  the  text 
into  small  parts. 

With  what  purpose  are  you  studying  these  lessons  ? 


What  phase  of  the  character  of  Jesus  has  most  im- 
pressed you  so  far? 


Can  you  see  any  change  in  your  own  daily  life  because 
you  have  followed  these  studies  thus  far? 


Examine  the  following  references  and  say  whether  you 
have  followed  the  example  of  the  men  referred  to:  Lam. 
3:23;  Psalm  5:3,  57:8;  Psalm  92:2. 


91 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH   WEEK.     THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  9:2-8.    JESUS  is  TRANSFIGURED. 
Where  was  Jesus  and  His  disciples  at  this  time  ? 

A  high  mountain,  v.  2.  "  Probably  one  of  the  spurs  of 
the  magnificent  snow-clad  Hermon,  the  most  beautiful  and 
conspicuous  mountain  in  Palestine."  Locate  it. 

For  what  purpose  did  He  go  to  this  mountain?  Luke 
9:28. 

Who  went  with  Him? 

Why  do  you  suppose  He  selected  these  men  and  left 
the  others  behind? 

Do  you  believe  that  He  would  select  you  for  such  a 
purpose  now  ? 

Read  the  three  accounts,  Mark  9:3,  Matt.  17:2,  and 
Luke  9 :29,  and  write  down  what  occurred. 

What  was  Jesus  doing  when  He  was  thus  glorified? 
Luke  9 129. 

Memorize  Daniel  12:3. 

PRAYER  :  "  O  Father  of  lights  and  Giver  of  all  perfect 
gifts,  we  beseech  Thee  to  give  all  things  that  are  good  for 
us,  even  such  things  as  we  have  not  yet  learned  to  ac- 
knowledge and  desire  as  good ;  but  above  all  give  us  Thy- 
self, who  art  the  eternal  and  highest  Good  of  all  Thy 
creatures.  O  Lord,  Jesus  Christ,  be  Thou  now  and  for- 
ever more,  by  Thy  deliverance  from  all  sin,  our  mighty 
helper ;  by  Thy  word  of  wisdom,  our  Master  and  Teacher ; 
and  by  Thy  spiritual  advent,  our  ever  present  Emanuel 
and  our  living  Saviour.  Transform  our  hearts  into  Thine 
image  of  gentleness  and  humility ;  and  let  us  ever  bear 
Thee  and  Thy  love  to  us  in  mind.  O  Holy  Spirit,  lighten 
our  darkness,  purify  our  impurity,  strengthen  our  weak- 
ness, comfort  us  in  sorrow." 
92 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH   WEEK.     THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


SECOND  DAY:    MARK  9:2-8.    JESUS  is  TRANSFIGURED 
(Continued}. 

Who  appeared  to  Jesus  now  ? 

They  were  the  representatives  of  the  Law  and  the 
Prophets,  and  answered  the  charge  that  He  was  destroy- 
ing the  law.  They  were  also  the  two  greatest  men  of  Old 
Testament  times. 

What  was  the  subject  of  their  conversation?     Luke 


What  does  this  indicate  as  to  its  importance? 


What  does  this  show  us  as  to  the  purpose  for  which 
Jesus  came  into  the  world? 


What  does  it  show  as  to  where  that  purpose  originated  ? 


What  was  the  condition  of  the  disciples  at  this  time? 
Luke  9 :32. 


What  was  the  significance  of  the  transfiguration  as  re- 
gards the  apostles  ? 


As  regards  Jesus  ? 


Notice  two  changes  from  this  time  on :  Miracles,  which 
had  hitherto  abounded,  well-nigh  cease;  Teachings,  be- 
fore public  as  a  rule,  now  become  rare  and  few,  and  con- 
fined to  the  apostles. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH    WEEK.      THE    TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  9:2-8.    ON  THE  MOUNTAIN. 
How  did  the  scene  affect  the  disciples  ? 

What  was  Peter's  proposition? 


Tabernacles,  v.  5.  There  were  little  booths  or  huts 
made  of  bushes  or  branches  of  trees  such  as  were  made 
when  the  people  were  at  the  feast  of  Tabernacles. 

What  thought  did  Peter  have  when  he  made  this  state- 
ment? 


Why  would  it  not  have  been  good  for  them  to  stay 
there? 


What  experiences  in  our  Christian  life  are  like  the  ex- 
perience of  these  three  apostles  at  this  time? 


What  did  the  voice  from  the  cloud  say  ? 
When  had  this  voice  spoken  before  ? 
After  the  cloud,  what  did  they  see  ? 

It  is  important  to  notice  the  time  in  the  life  of  Jesus 
when  He  was  transfigured.  It  was  a  time  of  depression ; 
His  enemies  were  aroused  (8:11)  ;  nobody  really  under- 
stood Him  (8:28)  or  His  mission  (8:32).  Then  it  was 
that  the  heavens  were  opened  and  He  was  glorified  when 
God  the  Father  spoke  to  Him. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH   WEEK.     THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  9:9-13.     THE  PERPLEXED  DIS- 
CIPLES. 

As  they  came  down  from  the  mountain  what  charge 
did  Jesus  give  the  disciples? 


What  light  do  we  get  upon  the  question  of  the  disciples' 
real  knowledge  of  Jesus  from  v.  10? 


And  they  kept  the  saying,  v.  10.    See  how  Peter  after- 
ward delighted  to  tell  about  it.    2  Peter  I  :i6,  17. 


What  did  Jesus  mean  by  v.  13? 


Do  you  not  think  that  this  same  Jesus  who  endured  the 
doubts  and  questions  and  misunderstandings  of  these  men 
will  be  patient  with  yours  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH   WEEK.     THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  9:14-18.    IN  THE  VALLEY. 

What  were  the  other  disciples  doing  when  Jesus  was 
in  the  mountain? 


In  what  region  were  they  now  ? 

Master,  v.  17.    Make  a  list  of  th< 
to  Jesus  as  recorded  by  Mark.    Mark  8 138,  8 129,  15 126. 


Master,  v.  17.    Make  a  list  of  the  different  names  given 


Remember  He  had  brought  His  disciples  into  this 
region  to  be  alone  with  them  and  not  for  the  purpose  of 
working  miracles  or  teaching  the  multitude.  The  enmity 
of  the  people  of  Galilee  had  caused  Him  to  withdraw. 

Describe  the  situation  of  the  disciples  as  Jesus  found 
them  on  His  return. 


What  effect  did  the  appearance  of  Jesus  have  upon  the 
people? 

Notice  the  point  at  which  Jesus  appeared  on  the  scene 
and  compare  it  with  Mark 


To  whom  did  the  father  intend  to  bring  the  boy? 
To  whom  did  he  bring  him? 
With  what  result? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH   WEEK.     THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 

SIXTH  DAY:  MARK  9:19-27.    THE  DEMONIAC  BOY.       j 

What  was  the  eff ect  upon  Jesus  of  the  disciples'  failure  ? 
V.  19. 


How  long  shall  I  bear  with  you?    V.  19.    What  did 
Jesus  mean  by  this  question? 


Can  you  think  of  a  time  when  He  might  have  asked 
it  of  you  ? 

Describe  the  boy's  condition.    Vs.  20-22. 


Notice  the  father  says,  "Have  compassion  on  us." 
How  much  our  fathers  and  mothers  suffer  with  us! 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  the  expression  "  If  thou 
canst "  ? 


,What  was  His  statement  as  to  those  who  believe 


Note  the  vividness  of  the  direct  discourse  in  v.  25. 
Compare  4:39;  5:8,  12;  6:31.  This  is  characteristic  of 
Mark. 

What  did  Jesus  do  when  the  boy  seemed  to  be  dead? 


What  was  the  effect  of  the  miracle?    Luke 
97 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FOURTEENTH    WEEK.      THE   TRANSFIGURA- 
TION. 


SEVENTH    DAY:     MARK    9:28,    29.      THE    POWER    OF 
PRAYER. 

What  question  did  the  disciples  ask?    See  Matt.  17:19. 
What  was  Jesus's  answer?    Matt.  17:20. 


What  did  this  answer  imply  as  to  the  prayer-life  of  the 
disciples  ? 


How  long  had  they  been  with  Jesus? 
Do  you  not  suppose  the  apostles  prayed? 
What  was  their  difficulty  ? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  I  come  to  my  devotions  this 
morning  on  an  errand  of  real  life.  This  is  no  romance 
and  no  farce.  I  do  not  come  here  to  go  through  a  form 
of  words.  I  have  no  hopeless  desire  to  express.  I  have 
an  object  to  gain.  I  have  an  end  to  accomplish.  This  is 
a  business  in  which  I  am  about  to  engage.  An  astronomer 
does  not  turn  his  telescope  to  the  skies  with  a  more  reason- 
able hope  of  penetrating  those  distant  heavens,  than  I 
have  of  reaching  the  mind  of  God,  by  lifting  up  my  heart 
at  the  throne  of  Grace." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


FIRST   DAY:    MARK   9:30-32.     HE   ANNOUNCES   His 
DEATH  AND  RESURRECTION. 

Trace  on  the  map  His  movements. 
"  And  He  would  not  that  any  man  should  know  it,"  v. 
30.    Why?    V.  31. 


How  near  His  death  was  He  now  ? 


He  taught,  v.  31.  The  sense  here  is  that  He  kept  teach- 
ing. His  great  public  ministry  was  over.  The  little  time 
that  remained  He  would  spend  in  instructing  the  men  who 
were  to  carry  on  His  work  after  He  was  gone. 

What  particulars  about  His  death  does  He  tell  them  in 
v.  31? 


What  effect  did  the  announcement  have  upon  them  ? 


What  kind  of  a  kingdom  were  these  men  always  look- 
ing for?    See  Acts  i  :6. 


What  danger  is  there  that  people  to-day  will  have  the 
same  conception  of  the  kingdom  which  these  men  had  ? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


SECOND  DAY:   MARK  9:33-35.    JEALOUSY  AMONG  THE 
DISCIPLES. 

See  how  often  He  returns  to  Capernaum.    John  2:12. 
This  city  has  been  well  called  His  headquarters. 

What  does  v.  33  teach  as  to  His  divine  insight?    See 
John  2 125. 


Why  did  the  disciples  hesitate  about  answering  His 
question? 


Sat  down,  v.  35.  This  was  the  usual  posture  in  teach- 
ing. Mark  notes  the  movements  and  gestures  of  Jesus. 
See  7:33,  8:33,  9:35,  10:16.  This  adds  vividness  to  the 
picture  and  is  characteristic  of  Mark. 

What  rule  did  He  lay  down  for  those  who  wished  to 
be  great? 


What  does  the  word  minister  in  v.  35  mean? 


Judged  by  this  test,  are  you  a  minister? 

"  Happiness  lies  in  what  you  are,  not  where  you  are ; 
what  you  are,  not  what  you  have." 
Memorize  Prov.  22:1. 


100 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  9:36,  37.    REAL  GREATNESS. 

"  The  measure  of  a  man  is  not  what  he  does,  but  what 
he  thinks ;  not  what  he  is,  but  what  he  would  like  to  be." 

Notice  the  movements  of  Jesus  in  v.  36. 

Read  also  Matt.  18:1-5  and  Luke  9:47,  48,  and  write 
down  the  rule  which  Jesus  laid  down  here. 


"  True  religion  is  to  know  the  greatness  of  the  great 
and  the  smallness  of  the  small,  and  to  act  on  that  knowl- 


edge." 
What 


was  the  attitude  of  Jesus  toward  children  ? 


What  are  we  taught  in  vs.  33  to  37  as  to  any  difference 
of  authority  among  the  twelve  apostles? 

Give  an  illustration  of  what  Jesus  meant  by  v.  37. 

PRAYER  :  "  O  Lord,  my  most  loving  Saviour  and  merci- 
ful Redeemer,  who  commandest  that  little  children  should 
come  unto  Thee,  and  didst  take  them  up  in  Thine  arms, 
lay  Thy  hands  upon  and  bless  them ;  look  graciously  upon 
me  who  am  one  of  Thy  children  devoted  to  Thy  service. 
Have  compassion  on  the  weakness  of  my  tender  years, 
and  keep  me  from  all  evil  and  danger  both  in  body  and 
soul.  Make  me  always  mindful  of  my  Creator  in  the  days 
of  my  youth  and  of  that  baptismal  vow  that  was  made 
in  Thy  name.  Make  me  dutiful  to  my  parents,  loving  to 
my  associates,  obedient  to  my  governors  and  instructors, 
and  courteous  and  humble  to  all,  that  as  I  grow  in  years 
I  may  grow  in  grace  and  wisdom  and  be  in  favor  with 
God  and  man.  Guide  and  sanctify  me  by  Thy  Holy  Spirit 
that  the  longer  I  live  the  better  I  may  be,  to  the  comfort 
of  my  parents,  the  honor  and  glory  of  Thee,  my  God  and 
my  own  happiness,  both  here  and  hereafter;  and  this  I 
beg,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen." 

101 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  9:38-41.    A  LESSON  IN  TOLER- 
ANCE. 

What  do  vs.  38  and  39  teach  us  about  judging  others? 


What  did  Jesus  mean  by  v.  40? 

Compare  v.  40  with  i  Cor.  12:3  and  Matt.  7:22,  23. 


What  should  be  our  attitude  toward  the  servants  of 
God? 


What  have  you  done  during  the  last  week  to  entitle  you 
to  the  reward  mentioned  in  v.  41  ? 


Read  the  Psalm  of  Love,  i  Cor.  13. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  When  Christ  showed  us  God, 
then  man  had  only  to  stand  at  his  highest  and  look  up  to 
the  infinite  above  him  to  see  how  small  he  was.  And  al- 
ways the  true  way  to  be  humble  is  not  to  stoop  until  you 
are  smaller  than  yourself,  but  to  stand  at  your  real  height 
against  some  higher  nature  that  shall  show  you  what  the 
real  smallness  of  your  greatness  is.  The  first  is  the  unreal 
humility  that  always  goes  about  deprecating  human  nat- 
ure; the  second  is  the  genuine  humility  that  always 
stands  in  love  and  adoration,  glorifying  God." 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


FIFTH    DAY:     MARK    9:42-50.      WARNINGS    AGAINST 
STUMBLING. 

Great  millstone,  v.  42.  It  was  a  Roman  punishment  to 
drown  criminals  by  tying  a  great  stone  to  the  neck  and 
throwing  them  into  the  sea.  It  was  considered  almost  as 
degrading  as  crucifixion. 

Notice  how  much  clearer  v.  43  is  by  the  change  from 
offend  to  stumble  in  the  Revised  Version. 

Notice  the  disappearance  of  vs.  44  and  46  in  Revised 
Version,  and  read  the  explanation  in  the  marginal  note. 

What  three  members  does  Jesus  say  may  cause  them  to 
stumble  ? 


What  does  He  mean  by  stumble  ? 


Into  hell,  v.  43.  The  marginal  reading  is  Gehenna. 
This  was  a  ravine  on  the  south  of  Mount  Zion.  There 
the  idolatrous  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  used  to  cast  their 
children  into  the  red-hot  arms  of  a  monster  brass  idol.  It 
became  later  the  common  cesspool  of  the  city,  and  the 
Jews  regarded  it  with  such  horror  that  they  applied  the 
name  to  the  place  of  torment. 

Worm,  dieth  not,  v.  44.  Symbol  of  an  everlasting  de- 
caying process. 

Have  you  anything  in  your  possession  which  would 
cause  you  to  stumble  through  the  eye  ? 


103 


The  Life  and  Works  ot  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


SIXTH  DAY:  COL.  1:9-20.    REVIEW  OF  GALILEAN  MIN- 
ISTRY. 

Test  these  statements  of  a  recent  writer  as  to  the  Gali- 
lean ministry,  giving  any  references  you  may  find : 

"  The  months  of  toil  in  Galilee  show  results  hardly 
more  significant  than  the  grain  of  mustard  seed  or  the 
little  leaven.  Popular  enthusiasm  had  risen,  increased, 
reached  its  climax,  and  waned.  Official  opposition  had 
early  been  aroused,  and  had  continued  with  a  steadily 
deepening  intensity.  The  wonderful  teaching  with  au- 
thority, and  the  signs  wrought  on  them  that  were  sick, 
had  been  as  seed  sown  by  the  wayside  or  in  thorny  or  in 
stony  ground,  except  for  the  little  handful  of  hearers  who 
had  felt  the  personal  power  of  Jesus  and  had  surrendered 
to  it,  ready  henceforth  to  follow  where  He  should  lead, 
whether  or  not  it  should  be  in  the  path  of  their  choice. 
They,  however,  were  the  proof  that  those  months  had 
been  a  time  of  rewarded  toil." 


During  this  period  notice  the  preaching  tours:    1:35, 
4:1,6:1. 

Also  the  journeys  of  flight:  6:30,  7:24,  8:i/. 
How  long  was  this  ministry? 


What  has  the  period  been  called  and  why? 
104 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

FIFTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  GALILEAN 
MINISTRY. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   PHIL.  2:5-11.    REVIEW  OF  THE  GALI- 
LEAN MINISTRY. 

Who  were  some  of  the  different  classes  with  whom 
Jesus  came  in  contact  during  this  ministry,  viz. : 

1.  Mark  2:6;  3:22. 

2.  7:1. 

3-  37,8;  1:45. 
4.  3:11;  1:24. 
5-  3:6. 
6.  1:32;  6:55,56. 

During  this  ministry  what  did  Jesus  teach  upon  the  fol- 
lowing subjects?  (And  any  other  references  you  may 
find.) 

Sabbath  observance,  2 :2/,  3  -4. 

Faith,  Mark  8: 14-21. 

} 

His  purpose  in  coming  into  the  world,  8:31,  9:31. 
Unselfishness,  8 :34. 
Prayer,  1:35,6:46,  9:29. 
True  greatness,  9 :35. 

Purity,  Matt.  5:8;  7:15,21. 
105 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH   WEEK.     ON  THE  WAY   TO 
JERUSALEM. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  10:1.    HE  LEAVES  GALILEE  FOREVER. 
THE  PEREAN  MINISTRY.    Mark  10:1-52. 
The  Period  of  Opposition. 

He  no  longer  shuns  publicity :  crowds  now  seek  Him. 
Where  did  Jesus  go  now  ? 

What  was  the  purpose  in  His  heart?    Luke  9:51. 
How  near  His  death  was  He? 


How  did  His  feeling  toward  the  people  differ  from 
that  of  the  disciples  ?    Luke  9 154,  55. 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  What  a  trial  it  is  sometimes 
to  turn  from  the  work  we  want  to  do  to  the  work  we 
must  do;  and  how  much  harder  it  is  if  those  in  whose 
behalf  we  have  been  working  compel  us  to  turn  from  our 
chosen  task.  But  even  our  blessed  Lord,  striving  with  all 
His  great  heart  to  win  the  people  of  Galilee  at  last  had 
to  leave  them  forever,  and  turn  to  other  fields.  Let  us 
believe  that  God  rules,  and  where  He  leads  it  is  for  us  to 
follow  willingly,  trustfully. 


106 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH   WEEK.     ON   THE   WAY   TO 
JERUSALEM. 


SECOND  DAY:    LUKE   10:1-12.     HE  SENDS  OUT  THE 
SEVENTY. 

(Between  Mark  9 :5o  and  10 :2  Mark  omits  many  events 
recorded  in  Luke,  Chs.  10  to  18,  and  John,  Chs.  9  to  n. 
This  covers  a  period  of  not  less  than  three  months  of 
which  Mark  makes  no  mention.  So  many  of  these  events 
are  necessary  to  the  story  of  the  life  of  Jesus  that  some 
of  them  are  treated  in  the  following  studies  of  this  week.) 

How  many  does  Jesus  now  send  out? 
For  what  were  they  sent? 


What  prayer  did  He  ask  them  to  make? 


How  many  times  in  the  last  month  have  you  prayed 
thus? 


Compare   their  commission   with  that   given  to  the 
twelve. 

What  caused  Him  to  send  out  so  many  just  now? 


107   , 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH  WEEK.     ON  THE  WAY  TO 
JERUSALEM. 


THIRD  DAY:  JOHN  9:1-41.    HE  RESTORES  SIGHT  TO  A 
BLIND  MAN. 

When  did  this  miracle  occur  and  on  what  day  of  the 
week? 


What  did  the  people  think  was  the  cause  of  the  man's 
blindness  ? 


Describe  the  miracle,  vs.  6,  7. 

How  did  it  affect  his  neighbors  ? 
Why  did  they  bring  the  Pharisees? 

What  caused  a  division  among  them? 
Who  did  they  ask  about  the  miracle  ? 
What  answer  did  the  man  make  ?    V.  25. 
What  did  the  people  say  Jesus  was  ? 
Why  were  they  so  much  excited  ? 

What  did  they  do  to  the  man? 
What  did  Jesus  do  for  him? 

Can  you  say  with  this  man,  "  Whether  he  be  a  sinner 
or  no,  I  know  not ;  ONE  THING  I  KNOW,  that  whereas  I 
kwas  blind,  now  I  see  "  ? 

108 


The  Life   and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH   WEEK.    ON   THE  WAY  TO 
JERUSALEM. 


FOURTH  DAY:   LUKE  13:10-17.    HE  HEALS  A  WOMAN 
ON  THE  SABBATH. 

What  did  Jesus  do  on  this  Sabbath  Day? 
How  does  this  miracle  differ  from  many  others? 
How  did  this  affect  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue? 
Whom  did  he  address  and  what  did  he  say? 
What  did  Jesus  mean  by  His  answer  in  vs.  15,  16? 
What  effect  did  it  have? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH   WEEK.     ON   THE  WAY   TO 
JERUSALEM. 

FIFTH  DAY:  LUKE  15:11-24.    THE  PRODIGAL  SON. 

This  parable  has  been  called  Evangelium  in  Evangelic; 
also  an  Epitome  of  the  Gospel. 

Study  it  to-day  as  the  history  of  a  sinner. 

1.  His  sin,  12,  13. 

In  what  did  it  consist? 

He  becomes  "  Lord  of  himself,  that  heritage  of 

woe." 
Sin  is  going  away  from  God. 

2.  His  misery,  14-16. 

In  what  did  it  consist? 

How  does  it  illustrate  Jer.  2:13?    Memorize  this 
verse. 

No  mars  gave  unto  him,  v.  16. 
What  had  become  of  his  friends  ?    Compare  Matt. 
27:24. 

3.  His  penitence,  17-20. 

What  do  the  first  few  words  of  v.  17  show  as  to 
a  sinner's  condition? 

What  does  he  do? 

4.  His  forgiveness,  20-24. 

Who  seems  to  be  most  eager,  the  father  or  the  son  ? 

What  does  the  father  do  ? 

What  does  the  son  do? 

What  does  the  father  say  about  the  son  in  v.  24  ? 

The  Bible  often  speaks  of  the  sinner  as  dead.     See 
Rev.  3:1;  Eph.  2:1,  5:14. 

110 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH   WEEK.     ON   THE  WAY   TO 
JERUSALEM. 

SIXTH  DAY:  JOHN  11:17-44.    HE  RAISES  LAZARUS. 
Where  did  Lazarus  live  ? 
How  did  Jesus  know  he  was  sick  ? 
How  did  Jesus  regard  this  family?    V.  5. 

From  the  account  describe  the  difference  in  disposition 
of  Mary  and  Martha. 

What  did  Martha  say?    V.  21. 
What  did  Mary  say?    V.  32. 

Did  Jesus  intend  to  convey  any  special  comfort  to  Mar- 
tha when  He  said,  "  Thy  brother  shall  live  again  "  ? 


What  further  revelation  did  Jesus  make  in  v.  26? 


Do  you  believe  it  ? 

Before  performing  the  miracle  what  did  Jesus  do?  Vs. 
41,  42. 

Take  ye  away  the  stone,  v.  39.  Our  part  in  bringing 
dead  sinners  to  life. 

Lazarus,  come  forth,  v.  43.  "  He  called  him  by  name 
lest  all  the  dead  should  arise." 

The  Master  is  here  and  calleth  thee,  v.  28.  Will  you 
hear  His  voice  and  arise  quickly  and  say,  "  Speak,  Lord, 
for  Thy  servant  heareth  ? 


Ill 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SIXTEENTH  WEEK.     ON  THE  WAY  TO 
JERUSALEM. 


SEVENTH    DAY:    LUKE    17:11-19.     HE   HEALS   TEN 
LEPERS. 

Where  was  Jesus  going  now  and  for  what  purpose? 


Try  to  imagine  what  a  day  it  must  have  been  for  these 
ten  men  when  Jesus  came  their  way.  Has  He  ever  come 
your  way  ? 

What  command  did  Jesus  give  them?  | 

Do  you  suppose  it  seemed  reasonable  to  them? 

What  did  they  do  and  what  was  the  result? 

How  many  thanked  Jesus? 

Do  you  ever  forget  to  thank  Jesus? 

What  was  peculiar  about  the  one  who  returned? 


Mention  some  incidents  in  your  every-day  life  when 
Jesus  would  say  the  words  of  v.  18. 


US 


The  Life  ana  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.  TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  10:2-12.    CONCERNING  DIVORCE. 
Where  was  He  now? 
What  does  "  by  the  farther  side  of  Jordan  "  mean? 

Remembering  that  Jesus  was  now  in  the  country  of 
Herod  Antipas,  who  had  divorced  his  wife,  does  this  help 
us  to  realize  the  purpose  of  the  Pharisees  in  asking  this 
question  ? 

Notice  that  Matthew  adds  to  the  question  the  words 
"  for  every  cause."  Matt.  19 13. 

What  rule  of  married  life  did  Jesus  lay  down? 

"  The  interval  between  the  final  departure  from  Gali- 
lee (10:1)  and  the  public  entry  into  Jerusalem  (11:11) 
was  given  to  three  different  tasks :  the  renewed  proclama- 
tion of  the  coming  of  the  Kingdom;  further  efforts  to 
win  acceptance  in  Jerusalem,  if  perchance  she  might  learn 
to  know  the  things  that  belonged  to  her  peace ;  and  con- 
tinued training  of  the  disciples."  Give  a  reference  to  each 
of  these  three. 

PRAYER  :  "  Grant,  Almighty  God,  that  our  meditation  of 
Thee  this  day  may  be  sweet ;  that  pondering  upon  Thine 
unchangingness  we  may  the  better  bear  the  changeful- 
ness  of  our  lives ;  thinking  of  Thy  constancy  we  may  the 
better  bear  the  fickleness  of  our  feeling ;  meditating  upon 
the  largeness  of  Thy  love  we  may  the  better  bear  our  own 
coldness.  Whatsoever  there  is  evil  in  us,  forgive.  What- 
soever there  is  in  us  that  is  good  may  the  circumstances  of 
our  life,  the  friends  of  our  soul,  the  meditations  of  our 
heart,  foster  and  enlarge ;  so  that  knowing  that  which  is 
good  in  time  we  may  better  hope  for  that  which  is  good 
in  eternity,  and  rise  through  the  poor  goodness  of  mortal 
man  to  the  understanding  of  the  infinite  goodness  of  the 
Lord  our  God.  Amen." 

113 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


SECOND  DAY:   MARK  10:13-16.    LITTLE  CHILDREN  ARE 
BROUGHT  TO  HIM. 

"  If  you  reveal  a  truth  to  the  rational  inquirer  you  re- 
veal it  to  the  comparatively  few ;  but  if  you  reveal  it  to 
babes  you  tell  it  to  all." 

What  did  they  want  Him  to  do  to  the  children? 


How  did  the  disciples  feel  about  it? 
How  did  their  actions  affect  Jesus  ? 
What  did  He  say  to  His  disciples  ? 


How  did  Jesus  say  we  must  receive  the  Kingdom? 
Compare  John  3 13. 


What  did  He  mean  by  this  statement  in  v.  15? 

Are  you  willing  to  receive  the  Kingdom  in  this  way? 
How  had  the  leaders  among  the  people  received  Him? 
What  did  He  do  to  the  children? 
Memorize  Mark  10:14. 


114 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  10:17-22.    A  RICH  YOUNG  MAN 
SEEKS  HIM. 

"  True  wealth  is  not  what  my  estate  amounts  to,  but 
what  I  amount  to." 

The  young  man  ran  and  kneeled;  what  does  this  imply 
as  to  his  sincerity? 

,     How  did  Jesus  regard  him? 

What  was  his  condition  in  life? 
\ 

What  did  Jesus  tell  him  to  do? 

What  was  the  young  man's  answer? 
What  one  thing  did  he  lack? 

How  did  Jesus's  words  in  v.  22  affect  him?  Contrast 
2:14. 

Considering  your  own  heart,  which  of  these  men  would 
you  imitate? 

Memorize  the  Ten  Commandments.    Exodus  20. 
THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  : 

"  Life  is  not  as  idle  ore, 

"  But  iron  dug  from  central  gloom, 
And  heated  hot  with  burning  fears, 
And  dipt  in  baths  of  hissing  tears, 
And  batter'd  with  the  shocks  of  doom 

"  To  shape  and  use.    Arise  and  fly 

The  reeling  Faun,  the  sensual  feast; 
Move  upward,  working  out  the  beast, 
And  let  the  ape  and  tiger  die." 


115 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.  TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


FOURTH  DAY:   MARK  10:23-27.    CONCERNING  RICHES. 

"  No  man  is  able  to  keep  in  the  Christian  life  anything 
that  he  does  not  give  away." 

What  was  it  caused  Jesus  to  use  the  words  in  v.  23  ? 


What  did  He  call  His  disciples  here?    See  also  John 
13:33;  21:5;  Mark  5:34. 


What  did  He  mean  by  v.  24? 


"  For  a  camel  to  go  through  the  needle's  eye  "  was  an 
oriental  proverb  for  something  impossible. 

How  did  these  sayings  affect  the  disciples  ?    Vs.  24,  26. 


How  did  Jesus  explain  the  difficulty? 


116 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  10:28-31.    THE  REWARD  OF  SELF- 
SACRIFICE. 

What  did  Peter  mean  by  his  words  in  v.  28?    Compare 
i  :i8,  20  and  2:14. 


For  whose  sake  must  they  leave  these  things  in  order 
to  get  the  blessing? 


What  were  they  to  receive  with  the  blessing? 


What  did  Jesus  mean  by  v.  31  ?    Read  the  parable  in 
Matt.  20:1-16. 


117 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.     TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MARK  10:32-34.    HE  FORETELLS  His 
DEATH. 

Where  were  they  now  ? 


Notice  v.  32.  "  There  are  few  pictures  in  the  Gospels 
more  striking  than  this  of  Jesus  going  forth  to  His  death, 
and  walking  along  the  path  into  the  deep  valley,  while 
behind  Him  in  awful  reverence  and  mingled  anticipations 
of  dread  and  hope,  their  eyes  fixed  on  Him,  as  with  bowed 
head  He  preceded  them  in  all  the  majesty  of  sorrow ;  the 
disciples  walked  behind  Him  and  dared  not  disturb  His 
meditations." 

They  were  amazed  and  afraid,  v.  32.  What  caused 
this? 


What  things  did  He  tell  them  would  be  done  to  Him  ? 


What  additional  particulars  about  His  death  did  He 
tell  them  now  ?    See  8 131,  9 :3O-32. 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :   "  Greater  love  hath  no  man 
than  this,  that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends." 


116 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

SEVENTEENTH  WEEK.  TEACHING  IN 
PEREA. 


SEVENTH  DAY  :  PSALM  90.  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  MARK'S 
GOSPEL. 

Notice  the  following  characteristics  which  have  been 
referred  to  in  the  studies : 

i.  Impetuous  activity :  1:12,21,29;  2:13;  3:i»7»l3» 
et  al.  Constant  use  of  word  "  straightway." 


2.  Realistic  details: 

Looks  of  Jesus:  3:5,  34;   5:30-32;  6:41,  et  al. 


His  gestures:  7:33;  9:35;  10:16;  8:33. 


3.  Direct  discourse :  4:39;  5:8;  6:31,1*0?. 

4.  His  human  qualities:    3:5;    8:33;    10:14;    10:21; 
6:34;  6:6;  7:34;  8:12;  4:38;  11:12. 


5.  Mark  describes  the  effects  of  Jesus's  words  and 
deeds:  4:41;  6:51;  10:24,26,32;  1:22;  6:2;  1:27; 
2:12. 


6.  The  crowds:  2:2;  3:10,20;  5:31;  6:31,  *f  a/. 

7.  Minute  details :   1:13,25;  2:2;  4:38;  5:4,1*0?. 


8.  Mark  gives  names,  numbers,  places,  and  time :  1 :29, 
36;  10:46;  13:3;  5:13;  6:40;  14:30;  H35;  2:1;  4:35; 
2:13;  37i  5^o;  12:41. 


119 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


FIRST  DAY  :  MARK  10 :35~4o.    THE  AMBITION  OF  JAMES 
AND  JOHN. 

What  had  Jesus  said  to  the  disciples  in  10:14,  15? 
What  request  did  they  make  now? 
What  was  wrong  with  this  request  ? 
What  reply  did  Jesus  make? 

Do  men  ever  make  such  a  request  now? 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  "  drink  this  cup,"  "  be  bap- 
tized"? 


Did  they  drink  His  cup  and  were  they  baptized  with 
His  baptism?    Acts  12:2. 

What  does  this  request  of  the  disciples  show  as  to  then- 
motive  in  following  Jesus  ? 


Have  you  ever  feared  such  a  motive  was  yours? 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  What  would  ye  that  I  should 
do  for  youf  "  What  a  wonderful  opportunity !  The  Son 
of  God  asking  mortal  man  to  tell  Him  something  to  do 
for  him!  And  yet  Jesus  Christ  stands  and  asks  that 

?uestion  to-day  as  truly  as  when  He  spoke  to  James  and 
ohn.    Are  the  things  I  really  want  Him  to 'do  for  me, 
deep  down  in  my  heart  of  hearts,  such  that  I  need  not  be 
ashamed  to  tell  Him  ? 

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EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


SECOND  DAY:   MARK  10:41-45.    How  TO  BE  GREAT. 

How  did  the  others  feel  when  they  discovered  what  was 
going  on  ? 

What  does  this  show  as  to  the  feeling  among  the  apos- 
tles? 


V.  42.  "  You  know  that  among  the  heathen  their  su- 
preme rulers  exercise  severe  despotic  power  over  their 
subjects,  and  these  in  turn  tyrannize  over  those  under 
them." 

How  did  Jesus  say  it  must  be  among  His  followers  ? 

How  is  it  in  your  life? 

What  great  announcement  did  Jesus  make  in  v.  45  ? 

What  is  a  ransom? 

What  was  it  He  was  to  give?    Compare  Rom.  5  :io,  II. 

PRAYER  :  "  We  bless  and  praise  and  magnify  Thee,  O 
God  of  our  fathers,  who  hast  led  us  out  of  the  shadows  of 
night  once  more  into  the  light  of  day.  Unto  Thy  loving 
kindness  we  make  our  entreaty ;  be  merciful  to  our  mis- 
deeds; accept  our  prayers  in  the  fulness  of  Thy  com- 
passion, for  Thou  art  our  refuge  from  one  generation  to 
another,  O  merciful  and  almighty  God.  Suffer  the  true 
Sun  of  Thy  righteousness  to  shine  in  our  hearts,  enlighten 
our  reason,  and  purify  our  senses ;  that  so  we  may  walk 
honestly  as  in  the  day,  in  the  way  of  Thy  commandments, 
and  reach  at  last  the  life  eternal,  where  we  shall  rejoice 
in  Thy  inaccessible  life.  For  Thou  art  the  Fountain  of 
Life,  and  in  Thy  Light  shall  we  see  light.  Amen." 

Memorize  Mark  10:45. 

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EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF   PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


THIRD  DAY  :  MARK  10 146-52.    HE  RESTORES  SIGHT  TO 
BARTIM^US. 

Locate  Jericho  on  the  map. 

Why  would  Jesus  be  apt  to  meet  a  great  multitude  at 
this  time? 


What  did  Bartimseus  cry  out? 
How  did  his  crying  affect  the  crowd? 

How  did  it  affect  Jesus? 

What  message  did  they  carry  to  the  blind  man? 

How  did  he  respond? 
What  was  his  request  ? 


Rabboni,  v.  51.    The  highest  title  he  could  give  Him. 
Having  received  his  sight,  what  did  the  beggar  do? 


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EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


FOURTH  DAY:    ISA.  11:1-9.    His  MIRACLES  AND  PAR- 
ABLES. 

Make  a  list  of  the  miracles  recorded  by  Mark,  arrang- 
ing them  to  show  his  victorious  power  over 


1 i )  Nature, 

(2)  The  spirit  world, 

(3)  Disease, 

(4)  Death. 


(Only  one  miracle  is  recorded  at  length  in  the  part  of 
the  gospel  not  yet  studied,  viz.:  11:12-14.) 

Make  a  list  of  the  parables  recorded  by  Mark. 


Would  the  ratio  between  Jesus's  words  and  works  hold 
in  your  life? 


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EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


FIFTH  DAY  :  MARK  14 :3-o,.    HE  is  ANOINTED  AT  BETH- 
ANY. 

(This  is  the  proper  place  chronologically  for  this 
scene.) 

Locate  Bethany  on  the  map. 

Simon  the  leper,  v.  3.    A  leper  who  had  been  cured. 

A  woman,  v.  3.  Mary,  sister  of  Lazarus.  John  12:3. 
.  Cruse,  v.  3.  A  small  flask  manufactured  in  Alabastion 
in  Egypt. 

Spikenard,  v.  3.  "  One  of  the  costliest  ointments  known 
to  the  ancients." 

Poured  it  over  his  head,  v.  3.  Compare  Luke  7:46. 
This  was  a  mark  of  respect  shown  to  a  guest. 

Who  was  it  that  thought  this  use  of  the  ointment  was 
wasteful?  John  12:4. 


"  At  thirty  pence  he  did  Christ's  death  devise, 

Who  at  three  hundred  did  the  ointment  prize." 
What  was  Judas's  motive  in  saying  this?    John  12:6. 


Pence,  v.  5.    See  marginal  note  on  Matt.  18:28 
What  did  Jesus  think  of  Mary's  act? 


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EIGHTEENTH  WEEK.     CLOSE  OF  PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


SIXTH  DAY:   2  PETER  1:12-21.  FOR  WHOM  DID  MARK 
WRITE? 

Remembering  Peter's  intention  expressed  in  2  Peter 
1:15  and  the  statement  made  in  the  Study  for  the  first 
week,  first  day,  form  an  opinion  from  evidence  already 
adduced  as  to  the  people  for  whom  the  Gospel  of  Mark 
was  originally  written: 

See  the  following  references : 

i.  First  week,  second  day. 

Fifth  week,  first  day. 

Eighth  week,  fourth  day. 

7:11,  10:46,  12:42,  14:36,  15:34. 


2.  First  week,  third  day. 

3.  Eleventh  week,  first  day.    See  also  15:42. 

4.  Mark  uses  many  Latin  forms  which  do  not  occur  in 
the  other  gospels. 

5.  Mark  only  mentions  that   Simon  was  the   father 
of  Alexander  and  Rufus,  15:21.    Was  this  because  Rufus 
was  well  known  in  Rome?    Rom.  16:13. 

6.  Notice  Mark's  omissions: 

(a)  Discourses;   (b)  parables  with  Jewish  signifi- 
cance;   (c)  no  genealogy. 

7.  Mark  presented  Jesus  not  as  fulfilling  prophecy ;  not 
as  satisfying  human  yearning;  not  as  the  foundation  of 
the  Church,  but  "  as  the  personal  embodiment  of  the  Son 
of  God  in  the  fulness  of  His  present,  living  energy,  demon- 
strating Himself  the  Son  of  God  by  His  divine  working." 

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EIGHTEENTH   WEEK.     CLOSE  OF   PEREAN 
MINISTRY. 


SEVENTH  DAY:    MARK  10:2-52.     THE  PEREAN  MIN- 
ISTRY. 

Briefly  outline  the  Perean  ministry. 


How  long  was  it  and  where  was  it  mostly  spent  ? 
What  were  its  characteristic  features  ? 
How  did  it  differ  from  the  Galilean  ministry  ? 
Why  is  it  called  the  Period  of  Opposition  ? 


"What  were  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of  Jesus  Him- 
self during  this  year?  To  Him  also  it  was  a  year  of 
sore  trial.  Now  for  the  first  time  the  deep  lines  of  care 
and  pain  were  traced  upon  His  face.  During  the  twelve- 
month of  successful  work  in  Galilee,  He  was  borne  up 
with  the  joy  of  successful  achievement.  But  now  He 
became,  in  the  truest  sense,  the  Man  of  Sorrows.  Behind 
Him  was  His  rejection  in  Galilee.  The  sorrow  which 
He  felt  at  seeing  the  ground  on  which  He  had  bestowed 
so  much  labor  turning  out  barren,  is  to  be  measured  only 
by  the  greatness  of  His  love  to  the  souls  He  sought  to 
save,  and  the  depth  of  His  devotion  to  His  work.  In 
front  of  Him  was  His  rejection  at  Jerusalem." 

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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING  OF 
THE  END. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  11:1-3.     HE  PREPARES  TO  ENTER 
JERUSALEM. 

THE  LAST  WEEK,  11:1-16:1. 

SUNDAY — THE  DAY  OF  TRIUMPH. 

We  come  now  to  the  last  week  of  the  life  of  Jesus. 
From  the  fact  that  Mark  devotes  233  verses  to  this  week 
and  only  425  verses  to  the  other  three  years  of  His  pub- 
lic life,  we  may  judge  something  of  the  comparative  im- 
portance of  the  events  of  this  week.  In  Matthew,  seven 
chapters,  Luke,  five,  and  John,  eight,  record  the  events  of 
this  last  week.  It  has  been  estimated  that  if  the  rest  of  the 
life  of  Jesus  on  earth  were  as  fully  described  as  this  last 
week,  it  would  take  eighty  books  the  size  of  our  Bible  to 
contain  the  record. 

Locate  Bethphage  and  the  Mount  of  Olives  on  the  map. 

Where  were  Jesus  and  the  disciples  coming  from  ? 

The  village  that  is  over  against  you,  v.  2.  Probably 
Bethphage. 

Notice  how  Mark  gives  vividness  to  his  narrative  by 
using  the  present  tense,  draw  nigh,  he  sendeth,  saith. 

Remembering  from  whom  Mark  got  his  material  and 
the  minuteness  of  the  detail  here,  can  we  imagine  who 
was  one  of  the  two  disciples  in  v.  I  ? 

Colt,  v.  2.  Matthew  tells  us  it  was  the  colt  of  an  ass. 
"  In  the  East  the  ass  is  in  high  esteem.  In  contrast  to 
the  horse  which  had  been  introduced  by  Solomon  from 
Egypt,  and  was  used  especially  in  war,  it  was  the  symbol 
of  peace."  It  was  peculiarly  the  national  animal.  See 
i  Samuel  25:20,  Numb.  22:21,  Gen.  22:3.  See  the 
prophesy  in  Zech.  9:9. 

On  what  mission  were  the  two  sent? 

What  were  they  to  say  to  anyone  who  interfered  ? 

What  is  the  meaning  of  the  words  "  and  straightway 
he  will  send  him  back  hither,"  in  v.  3  ? 
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NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  11:4-11.    HE  ENTERS  JERUSALEM. 
What  did  they  find? 


Notice  the  vividness  of  vs.  4  and  5. 
Who  were  the  "  certain  of  them  that  stood  by  "  ?    See 
Luke  19:33. 


What  did  the  disciples  do? 

What  did  the  people  do?    Read  also  Luke  19:37. 


What  had  brought  this  crowd  out  of  the  city?    Jonn 
12:12-19. 


What  did  the  people  say? 


'Hosanna,  v.  9.  This  is  the  first  word  of  Psalm  118:25. 
Hosanna  in  the  highest,  v.  10.    In  the  highest  heavens. 
As  He  approached  Jerusalem  what  were  His  feelings  ? 
Read  Luke  19:41-44. 

Where  did  He  go  in  Jerusalem? 
Where  did  He  go  at  evening? 

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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  11:12-14.    THE  BARREN  FIG-TREE. 

MONDAY. — THE  DAY  OF  AUTHORITY. 
What  was  His  physical  condition? 


Where  had  He  spent  the  night? 


Is  it  probable  that  He  could  have  spent  it  at  the  home 
of  Mary  and  Martha  and  been  hungry  in  the  morning? 


If  not  at  their  house,  where  might  He  have  been? 


A  fig-tree  having  leaves,  v.  13.  "The  fig-tree  does 
not  usually  send  forth  leaves  until  the  fruit  is  ripe ;  this 
tree,  therefore,  which  was  seen  afar  off  among  the  leaf- 
less fig-trees,  seemed  according  to  the  nature  of  the  tree 
to  be  an  early  fruit-bearer." 

Of  what  was  such  a  tree  a  symbol  ? 


What  did  He  say  to  the  tree? 


Notice  this  was  His  only  miracle  of  judgment,  and  it 
was  performed  on  an  inanimate  object. 

Memorize  2  Tim.  2  :i5. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK   11:15-19.     HE  CLEANSES  THE 
TEMPLE  A  SECOND  TIME. 

(Compare  this  account  with  the  first  cleansing  recorded 
in  John  2:13-22.) 

Why  did  the  money  changers  and  dove  sellers  frequent 
the  Temple? 

To  what  did  Jesus  appeal  in  v.  17?  See  marginal  refer- 
ences. 


How  did  this  affect  the  people? 

How  did  this  affect  the  priests  and  scribes? 

Why  did  they  fear  Him? 


PRAYER  :  "  O  God,  who  hast  redeemed  us  by  the  gift  of 
Thine  own  Son,  so  cleanse  and  purify  our  hearts  by  the 
indwelling  of  Thy  Spirit  that  we  may  always  live  to 
Thee.  Keep  us  ever  on  the  higher  levels  of  desire  that 
the  evil  in  our  thoughts  may  find  no  room  to  work,  and 
that  the  good  by  practice  may  grow  strong.  -May  we  go 
from  strength  to  strength  thinking  Thy  thoughts  and 
growing  in  the  image  of  our  Lord.  Reveal  to  us  the 
meaning  of  this  life  of  trial,  with  its  joys  and  sorrows  and 
perplexities,  and  let  us  spend  its  years  with  Thee  as  learn- 
ers in  Thy  school  of  righteousness.  Help  us  to  love  our 
neighbor  as  ourself.  In  all  ministry  of  truth  and  kind- 
ness be  our  inspiration  and  our  guide.  And  may  the  just 
and  loving  life  of  Jesus  move  us  to  joyful  emulation  day 
by  day.  Amen." 

130 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH    WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


FIFTH  DAY:    MARK   11:19.     WHERE  HE  SPENT  His 
EVENINGS. 

Read  also  Psalm  91. 

Where  did  He  spend  the  evenings  of  this  week  ?    Matt. 
21 117. 

With  whom  probably  ? 

How  did  He  regard  these  friends?   John  II  :5. 


What  do  you  suppose  led  Him  to  seek  this  home  each 
night  ? 


If  your  home  had  been  in  that  neighborhood  would  He 
have  sought  it? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  What  a  joy  it  would  be  to 
know  that  my  home  would  be  a  welcome  place  to  Him; 
that  the  pictures  on  the  walls  and  the  books  on  the  shelves 
would  be  pleasing  to  Him ;  that  the  conversation  of  the 
inmates  and  the  intercourse  of  the  members  of  the  house- 
hold would  be  such  that  He  would  delight  to  have  a  part 
in  it.  Help  me,  O  Lord,  to  make  my  home  and  all  its 
surroundings  such  that  Thou  canst  come  there  and  abide. 


131 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


SIXTH  DAY  :  MARK  1 1  -.20-23.   THE  LESSON  OF  THE  FIG- 
TREE. 

TUESDAY.— THE  DAY  OF  CONFLICT. 

As  they  went  to  Jerusalem  in  the  morning  what  at- 
tracted their  attention? 


How  did  the  sight  affect  the  disciples?    Matt.  21 120. 
What  did  Jesus  mean  by  "  have  faith  in  God  "  ? 


Mention  anything  showing  that  they  needed  this  in- 
junction. 


Whom  does  Jude  intend  to  describe  by  his  words? 
Judc  12. 


Is  there  any  lesson  of  warning  in  these  verses  in  Mark  ? 


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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

NINETEENTH   WEEK.     THE   BEGINNING   OF 
THE  END. 


SEVENTH  DAY  :  MARK  1 1 124,  25.   A  LESSON  ON  PRAYER. 
What  has  become  of  v.  26? 


What  two  conditions  does  Jesus  lay  down  here  for  pre- 
vailing prayer?    Read  also  Matt.  6:14,  15. 


Has  the  failure  to  meet  these  two  conditions  had  any- 
thing to  do  with  your  unanswered  prayers? 


What  is  it  to  forgive? 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


FIRST  DAY  :   MARK  1 1 127-33.    His  AUTHORITY  QUES- 
TIONED. 

Where  was  He  now? 

What  was  He  doing?    Luke  20:1. 


The  chief  priests,  the  scribes,  and  the  elders,  v.  27.  The 
three  classes  who  composed  the  Sanhedrin,  the  highest 
ecclesiastical  court,  but  the  whole  life  of  the  Jews  was  so 
governed  by  theocratic  ideas  that  it  became  the  supreme 
civil  court. 

What  did  they  mean  by  "  these  things  "  in  v.  28? 


What  was  their  question? 

How  did  Jesus  answer  their  question? 


It  is  still  customary  in  eastern  countries  to  answer  one 
question  by  asking  another. 

How  did  Jesus's  question  puzzle  the  deputation? 


What  answer  did  they  make? 


134 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


SECOND  DAY:    MARK  12:1-11.    THE  PARABLE  OF  THE 
VINEYARD. 

Hedge,  v.  i.    Probably  some  sort  of  stone  wall. 

Wine  press,  v.  I.  Often  these  were  cut  out  of  the  solid 
rock.  The  grapes  were  placed  in  them  and  the  juice 
squeezed  out  by  trampling.  (See  Judges  9 :27,  Isa.  16  :io, 
Jer.  25:30.)  It  was  usually  a  time  of  great  rejoicing. 

Tower,  v.  I.  "  Every  vineyard  in  Palestine  has  a  tower 
or  stone  building  about  twenty  feet  high  with  a  flat  roof, 
on  which  sits  a  watcher  to  guard  the  fruit." 

What  is  the  subject  of  this  parable? 

What  suggested  it  to  Jesus  ? 

Who  is  represented  by  "  a  certain  man  ?  " 

Whom  did  He  mean  by  the  servants  of  vs.  2,  4,  5  ? 

How  had  the  people  treated  these  servants? 

Who  did  He  mean  by  son,  v.  6? 

What  did  they  do  with  the  Son? 

What  have  you  done  with  Him  ? 

What  would  be  the  result  to  the  husbandmen? 

What  lesson  is  there  for  us  in  this  parable  ? 


136 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  12:12.    THEY  WANT  TO  ARREST 
HIM. 

What  did  the  Scribes  want  to  do? 

Why  did  they  not? 

What  did  they  do? 

In  what  respect  was  the  parable  spoken  against  them? 


PRAYER  :  "  Eternal  God,  who  hast  never  dawn  nor  even- 
ing, yet  sendest  us  alternate  mercies  of  the  darkness  and 
the  day,  there  is  no  light  but  Thine,  without  or  within. 
As  Thou  liftest  the  curtains  of  night  from  our  abode, 
take  also  the  veil  from  all  our  hearts.  Rise  with  Thy 
morning  upon  our  souls ;  quicken  all  our  labor  and  our 
prayer;  and,  though  all  else  declines,  let  the  noontide  of 
Thy  grace  and  peace  remain.  May  we  walk,  while  it  is 
yet  day,  in  the  steps  of  Him  who,  with  fewest  hours,  fin- 
ished Thy  divinest  work.  Amen." 


138 


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TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


FOURTH  DAY:  MARK  12:13-17.    THE  TRIBUTE  MONEY. 
Who  were  sent  to  Jesus  now  ? 

The  Pharisees  would  represent  the  religious  party; 
the  Herodians  the  government;  note  again  the  union  of 
these  natural  enemies  against  Jesus.  (See  3 :6.) 

What  does  Luke  say  about  them  in  20 :2O  ? 


What  did  they  say  to  Jesus  when  they  came  to  Him? 
¥.14. 


What  was  their  question? 

"  Jewish  patriots  denounced  the  payment  of  tribute  (l) 
because  the  Roman  money,  stamped  with  the  image  of 
the  emperor,  was  idolatrous;  (2)  because  no  Gentile  had 
a  right  to  impose  a  yoke  on  the  people  of  God.  If  Christ 
said  Yes,  His  accusers  would  denounce  Him  to  the  peo- 
ple as  an  oppressor ;  if  No,  they  could  accuse  Him  to  the 
Romans  as  a  rebel." 

Notice  how  Jesus  looked  into  their  hearts,  Matt.  22:18, 
Mark  12:15,  Luke  20:23,  and  remember  His  eyes  never 
grow  dim. 

What  question  did  Jesus  ask? 

What  was  His  answer? 

What  effect  did  it  have  upon  the  people? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  Whose  is  this  image  and 
superscription?  V.  16.  As  He  looks  at  your  home,  your 
ambitions,  your  possessions  to-day,  and  asks  of  you  this 
question,  what  answer  will  you  give?  Whose  image  do 
they  bear? 

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TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  12:18-27.    WHOSE  WIFE  is  SHE? 

Sadducees,  v.  18.  They  disregarded  all  the  traditions 
and  unwritten  laws  which  the  Pharisees  prized  so  highly, 
and  professed  to  consider  the  Scriptures,  especially  the 
Pentateuch,  as  the  only  source  and  rule  of  the  Jewish  re- 
ligion. They  belonged  chiefly  to  the  upper  and  wealthy 
classes.  "  They  were  sceptical,  cold-hearted  men." 

Were  they  honestly  seeking  light  ? 


From  what  do  they  quote  in  v.  19? 


What  twofold  reason  did  Jesus  give  as  the  cause  of 
their  error?    V.  24. 


What  does  He  mean  by  "  the  power  of  God  "? 


What  does  Jesus  quote  in  v.  26? 

Why  does  He  quote  that  particular  part  of  the  Old 
Testament  ? 


The  Bush,  v.  26.  This  was  a  portion  of  Exodus 
(3:1-6)  called  by  this  name. 

What  does  the  general  statement  about  God  in  v.  27 
teach  on  the  subject  of  immortality? 


138 


The   Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTIETH   WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


SIXTH  DAY:   MARK  12:28-34.    WHAT  COMMANDMENT 
is  FIRST? 

Christ's  Creed— Love. 

What  was  the  Scribe's  question? 

What  induced  him  to  ask  it? 

What  did  Jesus  say  was  the  first  commandment? 
What  the  second  ? 

Where  were  these  commandments  written?  (See 
marginal  references.) 

"  The  Jews  divided  the  Pentateuch  into  613  precepts, 
365  prohibitions,  as  many  as  there  were  days  in  the  year, 
and  228  commandments,  as  many  as  there  were  parts  in 
the  body.  They  distinguished  between  greater  and  lesser, 
and  had  many  disputes  about  the  greatest.  Among  the 
greater  commandments  they  reckoned  Sabbath  observ- 
ance, circumcision,  rules  of  sacrifice  and  offering,  and 
rules  about  fringes  and  phylacteries." 

What  was  the  Scribe's  reply  ? 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  His  answer  to  the  Scribe? 
How  did  the  discussion  end? 
Memorize  Mark  12:30,  31. 

V.  30.  Love  seated  in  the  HEART  rules  the  LIFE,  in- 
spires the  MIND,  and  imparts  STRENGTH  to  the  whole  man. 


139 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTIETH  WEEK.     ENCOUNTER  WITH 
PRIESTS  AND  SCRIBES. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   MARK  12:13-37.    THE  THREE  QUES- 
TIONS. 

What  three  questions  were  asked  of  Jesus? 
i. 

2. 
3- 

Who  was  it  that  asked  them? 

What  was  the  purpose  of  each  in  asking? 


Do  you  know  of  people  who  ask  similar  questions  now? 

Read  Matt.  22:41,  42  and  state  the  question  here  asked 
by  Jesus  ? 


What  does  the  last  clause  of  Mark  12 137  tell  us  about 
the  words  of  Jesus  ? 


What  element  in  the  character  of  Jesus  is  disclosed  by 
this  record? 


140 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  12:38-40.    HE  DENOUNCES  MERE 
EXTERNAL  PIETY. 

Read  the  address  in  full  in  Matt.  23. 

What  does  the  fact  that  Mark  reports  the  address  so 
briefly,  while  Matthew  gives  it  in  full,  show  as  to  the 
people  for  whom  Mark  wrote  ? 


To  whom  did  Jesus  speak  at  this  time?    Matt.  23:1. 

Long  robes,  v.  38.     What  kind  of  people  would  be 
designated  in  this  way  to-day  ? 


About  whom  was  Jesus  speaking?    Matt.  23:1. 

What  does  Mark  12:39  tell  of  their  character? 
What  does  v.  40  tell? 

What  does  Jesus  call  them  in  Matt.  23:13,  15,  23,  and 
39? 

Point  out  where  in  verses  13  to  40  in  Mark  the  evangelist 
shows  us  the  (i)  ambition,  (2)  avarice,  and  (3)  hypocrit- 
ical external  piety  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 

SECOND  DAY:   MARK  12:41-44.    THE  LIBERAL  WIDOW. 
Where  was  Jesus  now  ? 

After  the  strife  and  worry  of  the  questions  see  Him 
calmly  sitting  down  and  watching  the  people  pass  in  and 
out  and  make  their  offerings.  Does  He  watch  my  gifts 
to-day  ? 

Treasury,  v.  41.  Thirteen  brazen  chests  standing  in 
the  central  court  of  the  Temple. 

Two  mites,  v.  42.  "  The  smallest  copper  coin  in  use 
among  the  Jews,  two  of  which  was  the  smallest  offering 
allowed  to  be  given  into  the  Treasury." 

What  did  He  say  the  widow  had  done?    V.  44. 

Note  the  change  in  the  Revised  Version  of  the  word 
abundance  in  v.  44. 

Why  did  He  think  the  widow  had  done  better  than  the 
others?  V.  44. 

What  principle  of  giving  is  Jesus  emphasizing  here? 
Am  I  willing  to  give  Him  all  I  have? 


142 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  13:1-13.    HE  FORETELLS  THE  DE- 
STRUCTION OF  JERUSALEM. 

He  went  forth  out  of  the  temple,  v.  I.  He  never  re- 
turned to  it.  The  beauty  of  the  temple  attracted  the  eyes 
of  the  Galilean  fishermen  and  they  called  His  attention 
to  it. 

What  did  Jesus  predict  of  the  temple? 


Trace  their  journey  out  of  Jerusalem. 

Mount  of  Olives,  v.  3.  A  ridge  rather  more  than  a  mile 
long,  running  north  and  south,  covering  the  whole  eastern 
side  of  the  city,  and  separating  and  screening  it  from  the 
wilderness,  which  lies  beyond  it. 

Where  were  they  going?    Mark  11:19. 


What  questions  did  the  disciples  ask  ?    See  Matt.  24 :3- 

Notice  that  Mark  gives  the  names  of  the  disciples  (see 
the  same  thing  in  i  :2Q,  36 ;  10:46;  15:21;  15:40).  This 
is  characteristic  of  Mark. 

Write  out  vs.  5  and  6. 


State  the  substance  of  vs.  7  to  9. 

What  did  Jesus  say  must  first  happen?    V.  10. 
What  advice  did  He  give  them  in  v.  1 1  ? 

What  did  He  tell  them  was  to  be  the  condition  of  the 
world?    Vs.  12  and  13. 

Who  should  be  saved?    V.  13 
143 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  13:14-23.     THE  DAYS  OF  DE- 
STRUCTION. 

Read  Luke  21 :2O  to  explain  v.  14. 

Josephus,  describing  the  siege  of  Jerusalem,  declares 
that  "  the  misfortunes  of  all  men  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world,  if  they  be  compared  to  those  of  the  Jews,  are 
not  so  terrible  as  theirs  were,"  "  nor  did  any  age  produce 
a  generation  more  fruitful  in  wickedness  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  world.  The  horrors  of  war  and  sedition,  of 
famine  and  pestilence,  were  such  as  exceeded  all  example 
or  conception.  The  city  was  densely  crowded  by  the 
multitudes  which  had  come  up  to  the  passover.  Pestilence 
ensued  and  famine  followed.  Acts  of  violence  and  cruelty 
were  perpetrated  without  compunction  or  remorse,  and 
barbarities  enacted  which  cannot  be  described.  Mothers 
snatched  the  food  from  the  mouths  of  their  husbands  and 
children,  and  one  actually  killed,  roasted,  and  devoured 
her  infant  son.  (Compare  Lev.  26:29,  Deut.  28:56,  57.) 
The  besieged  devoured  even  the  filth  of  the  streets,  and 
so  excessive  was  the  stench  that  it  was  necessary  to  hurl 
600,000  corpses  over  the  wall,  while  97,000  captives  were 
taken  during  the  war,  and  more  than  1,100,000  perished 
in  the  siege." 

What  do  you  think  of  one  who  could  thus  foretell  com- 
ing events  ? 


144 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  13:24-27.    THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  END. 

Read  also  2  Peter  37-13,  Rev.  21. 

What  does  Jesus  teach  here  about  His  own  return  ? 


What  does  He  teach  about  a  separation  to  be  made 
among  the  people  on  the  earth? 


What  does  He  teach  about  the  extent  of  His  kingdom 
upon  the  earth? 


PRAYER  :  Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father,  we  have 
erred  and  strayed  from  Thy  ways  like  lost  sheep.  We 
have  followed  too  much  the  devices  and  desires  of  our 
own  hearts.  We  have  offended  against  Thy  holy  laws. 
We  have  left  undone  those  things  which  we  ought  to  have 
done ;  and  we  have  done  those  things  which  we  ought 
not  to  have  done ;  and  there  is  no  health  in  us.  But  Thou, 
O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  offenders.  Spare 
Thou  those,  O  God,  who  confess  their  faults.  Restore 
Thou  those  who  are  penitent,  according  to  Thy  promises 
declared  to  mankind  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  And 
grant,  O  most  merciful  Father,  for  His  sake,  that  we 
may  hereafter  live  a  godly,  righteous,  and  sober  life,  to 
the  glory  of  Thy  holy  name.  Amen. 


146 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 

SIXTH  DAY:    MARK  13:28-37.    THE  RIGHT  ATTITUDE 
OF  DISCIPLES. 

What  lesson  does  Jesus  teach  by  the  parable  in  v.  28  ? 
What  does  He  say  about  the  truth  of  His  words? 


What  does  He  say  about  the  knowledge  of  the  time 
of  His  return  ? 


In  view  of  this  what  does  He  say  we  should  do? 


In  what  state  of  mind  should  we  live  ?    V.  37. 


V.  35.    These  are  the  Roman  modes  of  reckoning  time. 
See  Tenth  Week,  Fifth  Day. 

"  The  four  moral  keynotes  of  this  discourse  on  the  last 
things  are  Beware,  Watch,  Endure,  Pray." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIRST  WEEK.     LAST  TEACHINGS. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   MARK  11:20-13:37.    TUESDAY  OF  THE 
LAST  WEEK. 

Make  a  list  of  the  events  of  this  day. 


Someone  has  said,  "  Tuesday,  the  last  day  of  His  pub- 
lic activity,  exhibits  Jesus  in  four  different  lights  accord- 
ing as  He  had  to  do  with  His  critics,  with  the  devout 
widow,  with  the  inquiring  Greeks  (John  12:20,  21),  and 
with  His  own  disciples." 

What  are  these  four  different  lights  ? 


147 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


FIRST  DAY:    MARK  14:1,  2,  10,  n.    JUDAS  ARRANGES 
THE  BETRAYAL. 

(This  event  took  place  late  Tuesday  night.) 
What  was  the  feast  of  the  Passover? 


What  did  Jesus  tell  His  disciples  ?    Matt.  26 :2. 


What  detail  did  He  add  here  to  His  previous  predic- 
tions of  His  death  ? 


Who  sought  Him  at  this  time? 
Why  did  they  not  want  to  seize  Him  just  now? 
With  whom  did  the  idea  of  betrayal  originate'' 
How  did  his  offer  appeal  to  the  enemies  of  Jesus? 
How  much  did  they  give  him?    Matt.  26:15. 


A  piece  of  silver  was  a  shekel ;  thirty  shekels  was  the 
price  of  a  slave. 

From  this  time  what  was  Judas  seeking  to  do  ? 


148 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


SECOND  DAY  :  WEDNESDAY,  THE  DAY  OF  RETIREMENT. 

Of  this  day  we  have  no  record. 

From  Mark  1 1 119  try  to  form  an  idea  of  what  Jesus  was 
doing  and  from  Matt.  26:16  of  what  Judas  was  doing. 


Judas  Iscariot.    By  what  words  is  he  always  described 
in  the  lists  of  the  disciples  ? 

From  John  12:4,  6,  Matt.  27:3-10,  and  Acts  1:18,  25 
give  your  estimate  of  the  character  of  Judas. 


What  was  his  great  defect? 


To  find  the  wickedest  man  in  the  world  we  have  to 
look  among  the  apostles. 

PRAYER  :  "  O  Thou  who  art  the  everlasting  light,  in  our 
times  of  trouble,  brighten  the  daily  path  of  Thy  children 
with  the  shining  of  Thy  face.  Let  the  sense  of  Thy  pres- 
ence, like  the  shining  of  the  sun,  be  always  about  us  and 
within  us.  We  ask  not  for  Thy  coming,  our  Father,  as 
if  Thou  wert  afar  off  and  needed  our  entreaty,  but  for  the 
grace  of  hospitality  in  our  own  hearts  whereby  they  may 
be  open  doors  for  Thy  waiting  visitations  of  love  and 
light.  So  may  we  come  into  those  great  communions  of 
spirit  which  bring  strength  and  quietness  to  our  lives. 
Hear  us,  O  Lord,  in  this  deep  wish  of  our  souls,  that  we 
may  be  conscious  of  Thy  companionship,  in  the  night 
watches,  in  the  hour  of  temptation  and  in  our  seasons  of 
loneliness  and  sorrow,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  our  Shepherd 
and  our  Saviour.  Amen." 

149 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


THIRD  DAY  :  MARK  14:12-15.    HE  TELLS  THEM  WHERE 
TO  PREPARE  THE  PASSOVER. 

THURSDAY. — THE  LAST  DAY  WITH  His  DISCIPLES. 

"  On  this  morning  He  awoke  never  to  sleep  on  earth 
again." 

The  first  day  of  unleaven  bread,  v.  12.  To  the  Jews 
leaven  symbolized  (i)  The  haste  with  which  they  fled 
from  Egypt  (Exodus  12:34,  39);  (2)  Their  sufferings 
in  Egypt  (Deut.  16:3) ;  (3)  Their  purity  as  a  consecrated 
nation,  leaven  being  a  symbol  of  impurity. 

What  was  the  disciples'  question  ? 


Whom  did  He  send  ?    Luke  22 :8. 


A  man  bearing  a  pitcher,  v.  13.    This  would  be  unusual, 
as  women  usually  did  this  work. 

What  were  they  to  say  to  the  householder? 


The  Master  saith,  v.  14.    Is  this  reason  enough  for  you 
in  your  life  every  day  ? 

Why  this  apparent  secrecy? 


Furnished  and  ready,  v.  15.  The  house  had  to  be  care- 
fully purged  of  leaven ;  this  the  master  of  the  house  would 
do  and  so  the  room  would  be  ready. 

Where  wilt  Thou  that  we  make  ready  f  V.  12.  What 
answer  would  you  make  if  Jesus  asked  you  this  question 
to-day? 


150 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  14:16,  17.     THEY  PREPARE  FOR 
THE  PASSOVER. 

The  obedient  disciples  found  that  Jesus  had  spoken  the 
truth. 

They  made  ready,  v.  16.  "  This  would  include  besides 
the  lamb,  the  provision  of  the  unleaven  cakes,  of  the  bit- 
ter herbs,  the  four  or  five  cups  of  red  wine  mixed  with 
water,  of  everything  in  short  necessary  for  the  meal." 

Where  had  Jesus  been  all  this  day?    V.  17. 


"  It  was  probably  while  the  sun  was  beginning  to  de- 
cline in  the  horizon  that  Jesus  and  the  disciples  descended 
once  more  over  the  Mount  of  Olives  into  the  Holy  City. 
Before  them  lay  Jerusalem  in  her  festive  attire.  White 
tents  dotted  the  sward,  gay  with  the  bright  flowers  of 
early  spring,  or  peered  out  from  the  gardens  and  the 
darker  foliage  of  the  olive  plantations.  From  the  gorgeous 
Temple  buildings,  dazzling  in  their  snow-white  marble 
and  gold,  on  which  the  slanting  rays  of  the  sun  were  re- 
flected, rose  the  smoke  of  the  altar  of  burnt  offering.  .  .  . 
The  streets  must  have  been  thronged  with  strangers  and 
the  flat  roofs  covered  with  eager  gazers,  who  either  feasted 
their  eyes  with  a  first  sight  of  the  Sacred  City  for  which 
they  had  so  often  longed,  or  else  once  more  rejoiced  in 
view  of  the  well- remembered  localities.  It  was  the  last 
day-view  which  the  Lord  had  of  the  Holy  City — till  His 
resurrection ! " 


151 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


FIFTH  DAY:    MARK  14:18-21.     HE  ANNOUNCES  THE 
l  BETRAYAL. 

Sat,  v.  18.  Reclined.  Compare  John  13:23.  It  is 
supposed  John  sat  next  to  Jesus,  with  his  back  to  the 
Lord,  "  lying  on  Jesus's  breast,"  so  that  by  bending  his 
head  back  he  could  whisper  to  Him  (John  13 125)  and  that 
Judas  was  on  the  other  side,  so  that  Jesus  could  whisper 
to  him  (Matt.  26:25). 

What  did  Jesus  tell  His  disciples  now  ? 


What  was  their  question? 

Did  Judas  also  ask  this  question? 

What  was  Jesus's  answer? 

In  what  relationship  to  Jesus  did  the  traitor  stand  ? 


In  what  ways  is  it  possible  for  friends  to  betray  Jesus 
to-day? 


Memorize  I  Cor.  10:13. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  To  be  true — true  in  word, 
scorning  a  lie;  true  in  act  as  disciples  of  Him  who  is 
the  Truth ;  true  in  thought,  hating  pretence  and  dishon- 
esty; true  of  heart,  in  all  constancy  of  obedience  to  the 
Father  of  our  spirits — this  is  the  ambition  and  endeavor 
of  every  child  of  God." 


158 


The  Lite  and    Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MARK   14:22-26.     HE  INSTITUTES  THE 
LORD'S  SUPPER. 

Read  also  Matt.  26:26-30,  Luke  22:19-22. 
As  they  were  eating  Jesus  took  bread;    what  did  He 
do  then? 


As  He  gave  them  the  bread  what  did  He  say?    Luke 
22:19.    See  also  i  Cor.  11:25. 


What  did  He  mean  by  the  words,  in  Luke,  "  which  is 
given  for  you  "  ? 


What  did  Jesus  do  next  ?    Mark  14 123. 

What  did  He  say?    Luke  22:20. 

What  did  He  mean  by  the  words  in  Mark  14:24? 


Is  there  anything  in  v.  24  that  shows  that  this  blood 
was  shed  not  for  the  twelve  apostles  only  ? 


How  did  they  close  the  supper  ?    V.  26. 
Where  did  they  go? 

What  do  we  have  in  our  worship  corresponding  with 
this  supper? 

Do  you  observe  the  command  of  Luke  22 119? 
153 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SECOND  WEEK.     HIS  LAST  HOURS 
WITH  THE  DISCIPLES. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  MARK  14:27-31.    HE  FORETELLS  THEIR 
DESERTION. 

What  did  Jesus  now  tell  His  disciples? 


What  relationship  did  He  here  say  He  bore  toward  tfa. 
disciples?    See  also  John  10:11-18. 


What  did  He  tell  them  they  would  do? 
,What  did  Peter  say? 
What  did  Jesus  tell  Peter? 
What  did  all  the  disciples  say? 


"  Forsake  the  Christ  thou  sawest  transfigured,  Him 
Who  trod  the  sea  and  brought  the  dead  to  life, 
What  should  wring  this  from  thee  ?    Ye  laugh  and  ask 
What  wrung  it  ?    Even  a  torch-light  and  a  noise, 
The  sudden  Roman  fasces,  violent  hands, 
And  fear  of  what  the  Jews  might  do !    Just  that, 
And  it  is  written,  '  I  forsook  and  fled.' 
There  was  my  trial  and  it  ended  thus." 


154 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD   WEEK.     ARRESTED,   TRIED, 
DENIED. 


FIRST  DAY  :  MARK  14 132-36.    His  AGONY  IN  THE  GAR- 
DEN. 

FRIDAY. — A  DAY  OF  SUFFERING. 
Read  also  Christ's  intercessory  prayer,  John  17. 
(Mark  omits  the  farewell  discourse  and  intercessory 
prayer  recorded  in  John,  chaps.  14-17.) 
Gethsemane,  v.  32.    The  oil-press. 
What  does  John  tell  us  about  the  place  in  18:1,  2? 

Read  John  13 130  and  tell  who  went  to  Gethsemane  with 
Jesus. 

What  was  Jesus's  mental  condition  at  this  time  ?  Mark 
I4:33>  345  Luke  22:24. 

For  use  of  word  amazed  see  9:15;  16 15,  6. 
What  did  He  tell  His  disciples  He  was  about  to  do? 
V.  32.    See  Matt.  17:1 ;  Mark  5 137. 

Which  of  them  did  He  take  further  into  the  garden  with 
Him? 

What  did  He  say  to  these  three  and  what  did  He  mean 
by  what  He  said? 

What  was  His  prayer  at  this  time  ? 
What  answer  came  to  His  prayer?    Luke  22:43. 
What  does  His  posture  show  as  to  His  earnestness? 
How  did  He  qualify  His  request?    Mark  14:36. 
Can  you  find  any  human  cause  for  this  scene  ? 

Do  you  think  that  this  scene  is  explained  at  all  by  the 
words  in  Luke  4:13?  With  which  temptation  did  it 
correspond  ? 

155 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,   TRIED, 
DENIED. 


SECOND  DAY  :  MARK  14 :37~42.    THE  DISCIPLES'  SLEEP 
IN  THE  GARDEN. 

"  He  who  had  promised  to  die  for  Jesus  could  not  keep 
awake  for  Him ;  small  temptations  are  often  harder  than 
great  ones." 

Who  is  designated  by  "  them  "  in  v.  37  ? 

Whom  did  Jesus  address  and  by  what  name? 
Why  should  He  say  these  words  especially  to  Peter? 


How  many  times  did  Jesus  leave  the  three  disciples, 
and  how  did  He  find  them  each  time  He  returned  ? 


What  was  His  prayer  each  time? 

Why  did  Jesus  tell  the  disciples  to  pray? 

What  did  He  say  to  them  in  v.  41  ? 

What  did  He  mean  by  "  the  hour  is  come  "? 

How  did  He  know  the  traitor  was  at  hand  ? 


"Prayer   without   watching   is   hypocrisy;    watching 
without  prayer  is  presumption." 
158 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,   TRIED, 
DENIED. 


THIRD  DAY:    MARK   14:43-52.     THE  BETRAYAL  AND 
ARREST. 

How  did  Judas  know  where  Jesus  was  ? 

A  multitude,  v.  43.    Partly  regular  guards  of  the  Tem- 
ple and  partly  from  the  Roman  soldiers  quartered  there. 
Who  led  the  soldiers  ?    John  18 :3,  Luke  22  -47. 

What  sign  had  Judas  agreed  upon? 

Kissed  Him,  Mark  14 :45.  "  Kissed  Him  fervently  or 
repeatedly."  For  the  full  meaning  of  the  word  see  its  use 
in  Luke  7:38,  Luke  15:20,  and  Acts  20:37. 

How  did  Jesus  address  Judas?    Matt.  26:50. 

How  did  Jesus's  presence  affect  the  multitude?  John 
18:6. 

Who  is  the  certain  one  of  Mark  14 147  ?   John  18  :io. 
What  did  he  do?  ' 

"  An  attempt  to  make  up  for  lack  of  character  by  out- 
ward service." 

What  did  Jesus  do? 

What  did  Jesus  mean  by  the  words  in  vs.  48,  49  ? 
What  did  He  mean  by  v.  50? 

How  long  before  this  was  it  that  they  had  used  the 
words  of  v.  31? 

V.  5i>  52-  "  Some  have  conjectured  he  was  the  owner 
of  the  garden  of  Gethsemane;  others  Lazarus;  others 
Jesus,  the  brother  of  the  Lord ;  others  a  youth  of  the  family 
where  Jesus  had  eaten  the  Passover.  It  is  far  more  prob- 
able that  it  was  St.  Mark  himself,  the  son  of  Mary,  the 
friend  of  St.  Peter." 

157 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,   TRIED, 
DENIED. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  14:53-59.     THEY  SEEK  FALSE 
WITNESSES. 

From  John  18:13,  I9~24  we  learn  that  Jesus  was  taken 
first  to  Annas  the  high  priest  according  to  Jewish  law. 
Annas  sent  Him  to  Caiaphas.  It  is  hardly  the  function 
of  a  judge  and  jury  to  seek  witness  against  the  one  they 
are  set  to  try. 

To  the  high  priest,  v.  53.    Caiaphas. 

V.  53  describes  a  hastily  convened  meeting  of  the  San- 
hedrin.  It  was  not  lawful  to  try  a  capital  case  at  night. 

In  what  part  of  the  house  was  this  trial  held?  See 
14:66. 

Where  were  His  disciples  at  this  time  ?   See  John  18 115. 
What  was  Peter  doing? 

What  leads  us  to  think  that  the  council  was  not  seek- 
ing to  give  Jesus  a  fair  trial  ? 


What  did  some  testify  against  Him? 

Tell  how  it  is  possible  for  a  Christian  to  be  a  false  wit- 
ness without  saying  anything? 


Compare  John  2:19  and  say  whether  their  testimony 
was  true.    See  Deut.  19  :i5  for  the  requirement  of  the  law. 


168 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,  TRIED, 
DENIED. 


FIFTH  DAY:    MARK  14:60-64.    BEFORE  CAIAPHAS. 

Notice  how  the  high  priest  addresses  Him  in  Matt. 
26 :63.  This  was  the  legal  formula  for  administering  an 
oath. 

What  did  Jesus  do  when  the  high  priest  asked  his  first 
question  ? 


What  was  the  high  priest's  second  question? 


Jesus  answers  plainly  and  positively,  "  I  am  the  Christ." 
What  did  Jesus  mean  by  the  rest  of  His  answer? 


Rent  his  clothes,  v.  63.    Of  what  was  this  a  sign? 


What  was  the  blasphemy  ?   John  10 136.    Compare  Lev. 
24:16. 


What  judgment  did  they  render? 


159 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,   TRIED, 
DENIED. 


SIXTH  DAY  :  MARK  14 :6s.    THE  PEOPLE  MOCK  HIM. 

What  did  they  do  to  Him  now?     Read  also  Luke 
22 163-65. 


What  kind  of  a  trial  do  such  incidents  show  it  to  have 
been? 


What  did  they  mean  by  covering  His  face  and  calling 
upon  Him  to  prophesy? 


How  did  the  officers  treat  Him? 


PRAYER  :  "  Speak  to  us,  O  God,  in  words  of  calm  and 
power  that  the  troubled  sea  of  our  desires  and  griefs 
may  be  at  rest.  We  have  striven  and  failed.  We  have 
climbed  and  fallen.  We  have  hoped  and  been  disap- 
pointed. Yet  we  have  never  sought  for  Thee  with  our 
whole  hearts  but  we  have  found  Thee  close  at  hand.  So 
hold  us,  Lord,  above  the  level  of  our  doubts  and  fears, 
so  quicken  us  to  child-like  trust,  so  glorify  Thyself  in 
us  through  work  and  pleasure,  life  and  death,  that  we 
may  share  the  peace  of  God  that  passeth  understanding. 
Amen." 


160 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-THIRD  WEEK.     ARRESTED,  TRIED, 
DENIED. 


SEVENTH  DAY:   MARK  14:66-72.    PETER  DENIES  HIM. 

V.  67.  "  How  many  thousands  of  Christians  have 
grown  cold  trying  to  warm  themselves  at  the  world's 
fires." 

Compare  with  these  verses  Matt.  26:69-75,  Luke 
22:55-62,  and  John  18:25-27,  and  write  out  briefly  this 
occurrence. 


Beneath  in  the  court,  Mark  14:66.     See  Third  Week, 
Third  Day,  where  such  a  house  was  mentioned. 
How  did  Peter  get  in  here?    John  18:16. 

Who  accused  Peter  of  being  a  disciple? 
How  many  times  was  he  thus  accused? 
What  did  Peter  answer  the  first  time? 
Where  did  Peter  go  then? 
What  was  Peter's  second  answer? 

What  was  it  that  made  them  think  that  Peter  was  a 
follower  of  Jesus  ? 

Do  people  who  talk  with  you  know  from  your  speech 
that  you  are  one  of  His  followers? 

What  was  Peter's  third  answer? 

How  did  Peter  feel  then? 

What  brought  about  this  feeling?    Luke  22:61. 


Memorize  Matt.  10:32,  33. 
161 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED   AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


FIRST  DAY:  MARK  15:1-5.    BEFORE  PILATE. 

In  the  morning,  v.  i.  This  morning  meeting  of  the 
whole  council  was  to  give  legal  sanction  to  the  action  of 
the  night.  The  powers  of  evil  were  active  enough  in  the 
morning. 

Bound  Jesus,  v.  i.  To  show  that  He  had  been  con- 
demned. 

Pilate,  v.  i.  The  Roman  governor  of  Judea  and 
Samaria.  From  what  you  have  learned  of  Him,  make  a 
study  of  his  character.  What  was  the  great  weakness 
in  his  character? 


Why  did  they  bring  Jesus  to  the  Roman  governor  ? 

What  three  charges   did   they  bring  against   Him? 
Luke  23 :2. 


What  word  describes  the  third  charge? 

How  did  this  differ  from  the  previous  charge?    Mark 
14 :62. 


What  did  Pilate  think  of  this  action  on  their  part?    V. 
10. 

Why  did  Pilate  ask  the  question  he  did  ? 
What  was  the  effect  upon  Pilate? 

What  was  Pilate's  decision?    Luke  23:4. 
109 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED  AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


SECOND  DAY  :  LUKE  23 14-7.    BEFORE  HEROD. 

V.  9.     "Jesus  was  silent  that  the  voice  of  the  dead 
Baptist  might  be  heard." 
To  whom  and  why  did  Pilate  send  Jesus  ?    Luke  23  7. 


Read  Luke  23 :8-i2  and  write  out  the  scene. 


Pilate  again  announces  that  he  finds  no  evidence  against 
Jesus  and  offers  to  whip  Him  and  let  Him  go.  (Luke 
23 :i6.)  What  does  this  indicate  as  to  Pilate's  character? 


He  was  desirous  to  see  Him,  Luke  23 :8.    Was  Jesus 
any  more  to  Herod  than  a  curious  juggler? 


PRAYER  :  "  Almighty  God,  the  Fountain  of  all  holiness, 
make  us  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus ;  out  of  His  fulness  may 
we  all  receive,  and  rest  in  Him  forever  more.  May  His 
passion  be  our  deliverance ;  His  wounds  be  our  healing ; 
His  cross  our  redemption ;  and  His  death  our  life.  With 
His  righteousness  may  we  be  clothed ;  by  His  Spirit  may 
we  be  sanctified ;  in  His  blood  may  we  be  cleansed ;  and 
to  His  image  may  we  be  conformed.  As  He  died,  may 
we  also  die  Unto  sin ;  as  He  rose  again,  may  we  rise  into 
newness  of  life ;  suffering  with  Him  here,  may  we  reign 
with  Him  hereafter;  and  bearing  now  His  cross,  may 
we  hereafter  wear  His  crown.  Amen." 

163 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED  AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


THIRD  DAY:    MARK  15:6-15.     PILATE  DELIVERS  HIM 
TO  BE  CRUCIFIED. 

What  feast  was  this  ? 

Barabbas,  v.  7.    A  notable  prisoner,  Matt.  27:16. 
What  was  his  crime? 

What  was  Pilate's  offer? 
What  did  the  priests  do? 
What  should  Pilate  have  done? 
Describe  the  scene  in  vs.  11-14. 

What  did  Pilate  mean  by  his  use  of  the  words  "  King 
of  the  Jews  "  ? 

What  did  Pilate  do  and  why? 

i 

Before  releasing  Jesus  how  did  Pilate  treat  Him  ? 

Why,  what  evil  hath  He  done?  V.  14.  This  was  the 
third  time  Pilate  had  expostulated  with  the  Jews  by  de- 
claring the  innocence  of  Jesus.  "  It  is  noteworthy  that 
he  took  step  after  step  to  secure  the  acquittal  of  Jesus :  ( I ) 
He  emphatically  and  publicly  announced  His  perfect  in- 
nocence; (2)  he  sent  Him  to  Herod;  (3)  he  made  offer 
to  release  Him  as  a  boon ;  (4)  he  tried  to  make  scourging 
take  the  place  of  crucifixion;  (5)  he  appealed  to  com- 
passion. John  shows  still  more  clearly  how,  in  succes- 
sive stages  of  the  trial,  he  sets  aside  (i)  the  vague  gen- 
eral charge  of  being  an  evil  doer  (18:30)  ;  (2)  of  being 
in  any  seditious  sense  a  king  (18:39)  >  (3)  °f  any  guilt 
in  His  religious  claims  (19:12).  He  only  yields  at  last 
through  fear,  which  makes  him  release  a  man  guilty  of 
the  very  crime  for  which  he  delivers  Jesus  to  a  slave's 
death." 

IN 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED   AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


FOURTH  DAY:  MARK  15:16-21.    To  CALVARY. 

Read  also  Luke  23 126-32.    Read  again  Isa.  53. 

What  did  Pilate  do  and  say  as  recorded  in  Matt.  27 124  ? 

What  answer  did  the  people  make  ?    Matt.  27 125. 
Notice  what  the  people  said  to  Pilate,  John  19:12. 

Pretorium,  Mark  15:16.    The  Governor's  palace. 
Cyrene,  v.  21.    A  town  in  North  Africa. 
What  did  they  mean  by  the  actions  described  in  vs.  17, 
18,  19? 


The  cross,  v.  21.  The  condemned  were  compelled  to 
carry  the  cross  on  which  they  were  to  be  crucified.  See 
John  19:17. 

Simon  was  impressed,  probably,  when  Jesus,  exhausted 
as  He  must  have  been,  began  to  waver  under  the  load. 

A  service  rendered  to  Jesus  is  the  one  thing  for  which 
Simon  is  remembered. 

What  did  Jesus  say  to  the  women  who  followed  Him  ? 
Luke  23 :28. 


What  did  He  mean? 


What  is  meant  by  the  expression  "  in  the  green  tree  "  ? 
Luke  23:31. 


Memorize  Isa.  53:6. 

166 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH  WEEK.     MOCKED  AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  15:22-27.    CRUCIFIED. 

Golgotha,  v.  22.  The  Hebrew  word.  Calvary,  the 
Latin  word,  used  in  Luke  in  the  Authorized  Version. 
Both  words  mean  skull-shaped.  The  place  cannot  be 
identified.  See  John  19:20,  41,  Matt.  27:39,  and  write 
down  all  we  are  told  about  it. 


Wine  mingled  with  myrrh,  Mark  15 :22.    A  stupefying 
drink  often  given  to  those  about  to  be  crucified. 
Why  do  you  suppose  Jesus  refused  it? 


Who  were  crucified  with  Him  ?    Luke  23 133. 

His  garments,  Mark  15:24.    See  John  19:23,  24. 
At  what  hour  was  He  crucified  ? 

What  was  written  above  the  cross  ? 

Why  was  this  written  in  three  languages  ?   John  19 :2O. 


Why  did  the  Jews  object  to  this  writing?    John  19 :2i. 

The  groups  around  the  cross : 

Soldiers — apathy. 

Sanhedrin — antipathy. 

Women — sympathy. 
In  which  group  are  you  to-day? 


166 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED  AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


SIXTH  DAY:   MARK  15:29-32.    MANY  MOCK  HIM. 

What  four  different  classes  mocked  Him,  and  what 
did  each  say? 
V.  29. 


Vs.  31,  32. 
Luke  23:36,  37. 

Matt.  27:44. 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY:  Himself  He  cannot  save,  v.  31. 
This,  though  said  in  mockery,  was  literally  true.  He 
came  not  to  save  Himself,  but  to  save  me.  Not  only  His 
death,  but  His  whole  life  taught  this  and  showed  this  to 
be  His  great  purpose  in  coming  into  this  world — "  to 
give  His  life,  a  ransom."  The  grain  of  wheat  must  fall 
into  the  earth  and  die. 

"  May  this  poor  self  grow  less  and  less ; 

Be  Thou  my  life  and  aim ; 
Oh,  make  me  daily,  through  Thy  grace, 
More  worthy  of  Thy  name. 

"  Daily  more  filled  with  Thee,  my  heart 

Daily  from  self  more  free ; 
Thou,  to  whom  prayer  did  strength  impart, 
Oh,  my  prayer-Hearer  be." 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FOURTH   WEEK.     MOCKED  AND 
CRUCIFIED. 


SEVENTH  DAY:  LUKE  23:39-43.    THE  Two  THIEVES. 

Describe  the  attitude  of  each  of  these  two  malefactors 
toward  Jesus  ? 


What  did  the  first  one  say  to  Jesus? 

What  was  this  man's  sin  as  shown  by  these  words  ? 

What  did  the  other  say  to  Jesus? 

What  did  Jesus  answer? 


"Did  ever  the  new  birth  take  place  in  so  strange  a 
cradle?" 
What  are  we  taught  here  about  our  life  after  death? 


How  was  Jesus's  answer  to  the  thief  better  than  his 
request  ? 


168 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE  END. 

FIRST  DAY:   THE  SEVEN  WORDS  FROM  THE  CROSS. 

Write  down  the  seven  expressions  used  by  Jesus  on 
the  cross : 

1.  Luke  23:34. 

2.  Luke  23 :43. 

3.  John  19:26,  27. 

4.  Mark  15:34. 

5.  John  19:28. 

6.  John  19:30. 

7.  Luke  23  -.46. 
Which  were  for  others  ? 

Which  describe  His  own  suffering? 

Could  you  make  the  prayer  of  Luke  23:34  your  own 
to-day  ? 

The  seven  words : 

1.  A  prayer:  invocation,  petition,  argument. 

2.  The  life  of  Christ  in  miniature. 

3.  Thinking  of  others. 

4.  A  word  of  astonishment,  but  of  victory. 

5.  He  had  offered  to  quench  the  thirst  of  the  world. 

6.  The  worker's  cry  of  achievement ;  the  sufferer's  cry 
of  relief.    The  greatest  single  word  ever  spoken. 

7.  A  prayer.    A  quotation  from  Scripture. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE   END. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  15 :33~37.    DEAD. 

Between  what  hours,  according  to  our  method  of  com- 
puting time,  was  it  dark  ? 

What  did  they  think  Jesus  said? 
What  did  they  do? 


Why  might  they  think  that  He  was  calling  Elijah? 


Three  of  the  evangelists  note  that  He  cried  with  a  loud 
voice. 

Try  to  realize  the  suffering  which  wrung  this  cry  from 
the  Son  of  God. 

PRAYER  :  "  O  Thou  Saviour  of  the  world,  all  things  are 
in  Thy  hand  or  under  Thy  hand.  Thou  didst  die  for  us ; 
Thou  didst  rise  again ;  and  now  our  prayers  are  a  part 
of  Thine.  Thou  dost  take  them  up  and  refine  them ;  give 
them  meaning  and  wisdom,  and  return  them  to  us  in 
large  answers  of  love.  Great  is  Thy  love;  infinite  in 
tenderness  Thy  compassion.  We  call  Thee  man  because 
then  we  can  touch  Thee ;  we  call  Thee  God  because  then 
Thou  canst  lift  us  beyond  all  mortal  strength  and  fix  us 
in  absolute  security.  Thou  art  Immanuel — God  with  us 
— never  to  be  explained,  always  to  be  felt ;  a  living  pres- 
ence. May  we  find  in  Thy  cross  the  centre  and  sum  of 
all  things,  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  rest  which  is 
Thy  righteousness,  and  may  we  lean  our  little  crosses,  so 
small,  against  Thy  infinite  woe.  Amen." 


170 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE   END. 


THIRD  DAY:   MARK  15:38.    EFFECT  IN  NATURE. 

Read  also  Matt.  27:51-53. 

The  veil,  Mark  15  :38.    Separated  the  Holy  place  in  the 
Temple  from  the  Holy  of  Holies.    What  happened  to  it? 


Of  what  was  this  a  symbol?    Heb.  10:19,  2O- 
Describe  what  happened  according  to  Matthew. 


"  I  have  a  friend  so  precious, 

So  very  dear  to  me, 
He  loves  me  with  such  tender  love, 

He  loves  so  faithfully, 
I  would  not  live  apart  from  Him, 

I  love  to  feel  Him  nigh, 
And  so  we  dwell  together, 

My  Lord  and  I. 

"  Sometimes  I'm  faint  and  weary, 

He  knows  that  I  am  weak, 
And  as  He  bids  me  lean  on  Him, 

His  help  I'll  gladly  seek ; 
He  leads  me  in  the  paths  of  light 

Beneath  a  sunny  sky 
And  so  we  walk  together, 

My  Lord  and  I." 


171 


The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE  END. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  15:39-41.     EFFECT  UPON  CEN- 
TURION. 

What  was  the  effect  upon  the  Centurion? 


What  was  there  in  the  dying  Christ  that  caused  the 
centurion  to  use  these  words,  and  the  thief  to  speak  as 
he  did  in  Luke  23 142  ? 


Who  watched  from  afar? 


What  had  their  part  been  in  the  life  of  Jesus? 


Where  were  the  men? 


Memorize  Zech.  4:6. 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE  END. 

FIFTH  DAY:  MARK  15:42-47.    BURIED. 
What  day  of  the  week  was  this  ? 

Why  did  the  Jews  want  the  bodies  taken  from  the 
cross?    John  19:31. 


Joseph,  Mark  15:43.    Tell  all  you  can  about  him.    See 
also  Matt.  27:57,  Luke  23:51,  John  19:38. 


Who  else  came  at  this  time?   John  19:39. 
Why  did  they  go  to  Pilate? 
What  caused  Pilate  to  marvel? 

What  did  they  do  with  the  body? 

Who  else  saw  the  burial? 
Where  were  the  disciples? 


178 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE  END. 


SIXTH  DAY:    MATT.  27:62-66.     SEALING  THE  SEPUL- 
CHRE. 

What  precautions  did  the  chief  priests  and  the  Phari- 
sees take? 


What  did  they  think  had  become  of  Jesus? 
Did  anyone  have  any  different  opinion? 
What  was  Pilate's  answer  ? 
What  did  they  do? 


What  evidence  does  all  this  contribute  to  the  truth  of 
the  resurrection? 


174 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-FIFTH   WEEK.     THE   END. 


SEVENTH  DAY:    i  PETER  2:21-25. 

Write  down  the  events  recorded  in  the  following  pas- 
sages : 

Mark  15:16-20. 

Luke  23:26-32. 
Mark  15:22-27. 
Mark  15:29-32. 
Luke  23:39-43. 
Mark  15:33-37. 
Mark  15:38. 
Mark  15:39-41. 
Mark  15:42-47. 
Matt.  27:62-66. 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  Christ  is  the  world's  life. 
Passing  centuries,  however  many  their  number,  could  not 
erect  an  exalted  ethical  character  into  the  Christ  of  to-day 
and  forever,  and  the  study  of  that  character  is  largely 
profitless  save  as  it  leads  men  and  nations  to  hear  the  voice 
of  Jesus  as  on  the  last  day,  the  great  day  of  the  feast, 
He  stood  and  cried,  saying,  '  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  Me  and  drink.  He  that  believeth  on  Me  as  the 
Scripture  hath  said,  out  of  the  depths  of  his  life  shall 
pour  torrents  of  living  water.'  " 


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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SIXTH   WEEK.     HIS   VICTORY. 

FIRST  DAY:  MARK  16:1-8.    HE  RISES. 

The  great  chapter  on  the  resurrection  is  I  Cor.  15. 
What  day  of  the  week  was  this? 

What  has  this  day  been  called  ever  since  ? 

Who  were  first  at  the  tomb  and  at  what  time  of  the 
day  did  they  come? 


Why  would  Mary  Magdalene  be  FO  constant  in  her 
love? 


For  what  did  they  come? 


What  would  this  imply  as  to  their  real  knowledge  of 
Jesus  ? 

What  shows  that  they  did  not  expect  Jesus  to  rise  ? 


Describe  the  scene  of  vs.  5  and  6. 

What  did  the  angel  command  ? 
Why  "and  Peter"?    V.?. 

Do  you  suppose  the  angel  had  any  special  object  in  us- 
ing the  words,  "  as  He  said  unto  you  "  ? 

What  effect  did  the  whole  scene  have  upon  the  women  ? 

Memorize  i  Cor.  15:58.    Noting  the  use  of  wherefore, 
W 


The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SIXTH    WEEK.     HIS    VICTORY. 


SECOND  DAY:  MARK  16:9-13.    His  FIRST  APPEARANCE. 

(See  note  in  margin  of  Revised  Version  on  vs.  9-20.) 
To  whom  did  Jesus  first  appear  ? 


What  were  the  disciples  doing? 


What  was  the  effect  upon  them  of  the  woman's  mes- 
sage? 


How  do  you  explain  this  in  view  of  10:34? 


What  effort  did  the  chief  priests  make  to  conceal  the 
fact  of  the  resurrection?    Matt.  28:11-15. 

Afterward  He  appeared  to  two  others  and  these  told 
the  disciples ;  what  was  the  effect  ? 


"  Jesus  draws  near  to  commune  with  those  who  com- 
mune of  Him." 

THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  Luke  tells  us  that  He  said  to 
the  two  on  the  way  to  Emmaus,  "  What  communications 
are  these  that  ye  have  one  with  another  as  ye  walk  ?  " 
Does  Jesus  draw  near  to  me  sometimes  as  I  talk  with 
my  companions  and  wonder  at  what  we  talk  about  ?  How 
embarrassing  it  would  be  at  times.  Oh  Thou  blessed  Son 
of  God,  give  me  a  mind  that  turns  gladly  and  naturally  to 
the  things  that  pertain  to  Thy  kingdom  so  that  I  may 
talk  more  about  these  things. 


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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-SIXTH    WEEK.      HIS    VICTORY. 


THIRD  DAY:  MARK  16:14.    HE  APPEARS  TO  THE  ELEVEN. 

Read  also  John  20:19-28. 

The  disciples  still  continued  together. 

When  He  appeared  to  them  what  did  He  do  ? 


What  was  Thomas's  difficulty  ?    John  20 125. 


How  did  Jesus  convince  him? 


What  was  Thomas's  confession? 


Can   you   to-day   truthfully    use   these   words    which 
Thomas  used  ? 


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The  Life  and   Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-SIXTH    WEEK.      HIS   VICTORY. 


FOURTH  DAY:    MARK  16:15-20.    His  LAST  WISHES. 

"  '  Every  citizen  a  soldier,'  is  the  true  watchword  of 
the  Church." 

What  command  did  He  give  His  disciples? 

This  is  called  "  The  Great  Commission,"  also  "  The 
marching  orders  of  the  Church."  Notice  we  are  not  com- 
manded to  bring  the  world  to  Christ,  but  Christ  to  the 
world. 

"  The  army  that  remains  in  its  entrenchments  is  al- 
ready beaten." 

Are  you  willing  to  obey  His  last  command  ? 

Where  did  Jesus  go? 

What  did  the  disciples  do? 

Notice  this  last  verse  of  Mark's  Gospel,  how  to  the  very 
end  Mark  sets  forth  the  living  energy  of  Jesus. 

What  was  the  effect  of  the  resurrection  on  the  disciples? 
Compare  14:50;  16:11,  13,  with  Acts  2:14,  36;  3:15. 

Memorize  Mark  16:15. 

PRAYER:  "  Thou  Light  and  Desire  of  all  nations,  watch 
over  Thy  messengers  both  by  land  and  sea.  Prosper  the 
endeavors  of  all  Thy  servants  to  spread  Thy  gospel 
among  heathen  nations.  Accompany  the  word  of  their 
testimony  concerning  Thy  atonement  with  demonstra- 
tion of  the  Spirit  and  of  power.  Bless  our  and  all  other 
Christian  congregations  gathered  from  among  the  heath- 
en. Keep  them  as  the  apple  of  Thine  eye.  Have  mercy 
on  Thy  ancient  covenant  people,  the  Jews ;  deliver  them 
from  their  blindness  and  bring  all  nations  to  the  saving 
knowledge  of  Thee.  Give  to  Thy  people  open  doors  to 
preach  the  gospel  and  set  them  to  Thy  praise  on  earth. 
Hear  us,  gracious  Lord  and  God.  Amen." 
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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 


TWENTY-SIXTH    WEEK.     HIS   VICTORY. 


FIFTH  DAY:  ACTS  1:1-11. 

In  which  part  of  Palestine  did  Jesus  spend  most  of 
His  life? 

Where  was  Jesus  bora? 

Where  did  He  grow  up  ? 

What  city  afterward  became  His  home? 

Why  did  He  leave  Judea? 


Why  did  He  leave  Galilee? 


What  was  His  method  of  work? 


What  two  important  events  stand  at  the  beginning  of 
His  public  ministry? 

Mention  three  events  in  the  Judean  ministry. 

Mention  the  three  events  in  the  Galilean  ministry  which 
seem  to  you  to  be  most  important. 


Mention  three  events  in  the  Perean  ministry. 


What  portion  of  His  life  does  Mark  give  most  fully? 

What  event  in  His  life  was  the  greatest? 
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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SIXTH   WEEK.     HIS  VICTORY. 

SIXTH  DAY:  ISA.  61:1-3,  LUKE  4:16-21. 
State  briefly  how  Jesus  fulfilled  this  prophecy. 

In  what  ways  did  Jesus  show  Himself  to  be  unselfish? 
In  what  ways  did  He  show  that  He  was  courageous  ? 
Mention  instances  of  His  patience. 
Tell  how  He  illustrated  friendship. 

What  did  He  think  of  God's  word? 
What  did  He  think  of  prayer? 


THOUGHT  FOR  TO-DAY  :  "  '  Behold,  the  Man ! '  was 
Pilate's  jeer.  That  is  what  all  the  ages  have  been  doing 
since,  and  the  vision  has  grown  more  and  more  glorious. 
As  they  have  looked,  the  crown  of  thorns  has  become  a 
crown  of  golden  radiance,  and  the  cast-off  robe  has  glis- 
tened like  the  garments  He  wore  on  the  night  of  His 
transfiguration.  Martyrs  have  smiled  in  the  flames  at 
that  vision,  sinners  have  turned  at  it  to  a  new  life,  little 
children  have  seen  it  and  have  had  awakened  by  it  dim 
recollections  of  their  heaven-home,  and  toward  it  the  souls 
of  men  yearn  ever." 

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The  Life  and  Works  of  Jesus 

TWENTY-SIXTH  WEEK.     HIS  VICTORY. 

SEVENTH  DAY:  REV.  22:10-21. 

Farrar  says  Mark's  "object  was  to  represent  Jesus  as 
He  had  been  in  the  present,  in  daily,  actual  life;  Jesus 
living  and  working  among  men  in  the  fulness  of  His  en- 
ergy ;  Jesus  in  the  awe-inspiring  grandeur  of  His  human 
personality  as  a  man  who  was  also  incarnate,  the  wonder- 
working Son  of  God." 

From  whence  did  Jesus  come? 

What  did  He  do  on  earth? 


What  is  His  present  position? 

From  your  study  of  His  life  what  do  you  think  of  Him? 


Can  you  sign  these  words: 

I  hereby  accept  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  as  my  own 
personal  Saviour,  and  consecrate  my  life  to  His  service. 
Dated 


OUTLINE  MAP. 

On  this  map  the  student  should  trace  the  Journeys  of  Jesus  as  suggested  in  the  Introduction, 
and  in  various  lessons  in  the  course. 


Coovrieht.  1806.  br  THB  BIBLE  STUDY  PUBI.ISUIKKJ  Co. 


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